J Robinson is about to embark on his 24th season coaching the Gophers wrestling team. But identifying him only by that title probably sells Robinson short. He recently took time to talk about wrestling and various other endeavors -- including a trip to Iraq, which he leaves for today -- with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand.

Q Can you tell me a little more about the Iraq trip?

A Chaplain (John) Morris is with the 34th Red Bull Infantry, made up of the Minnesota National Guard, and he asked me. There's a wrestler who lost his legs, and I had gone to visit him at the V.A. Hospital. When the division was going to deploy, I went to their going away deal, and told (Morris) that if there was anything else I could do, don't hesitate to call and ask. I don't know how it all started, but I think he sent out some general stuff and got things going. It came down to it that I was just going to go by myself and pay for my own ticket, and then a couple of organizations stepped up to help me. I said I'd go over there and hang out with the guys. I was in that spot a long time ago, and I know what it means to have someone come and visit.

Q You served in Vietnam and have been affiliated in various ways with the armed forces. How has that experience shaped you, and will you share some of those experiences with the guys in Iraq?

A I think one of the biggest things is when you are so far away from home, you just miss home. Things that people take for granted. You miss McDonalds, Burger King. Another thing you don't really realize is you're doing something that's critically important, and there are a lot of people who don't understand it and take it for granted. I want to remind them that they're doing something very special.

Q You spoke recently at the memorial service for Norman Borlaug, a former wrestler and Nobel Peace Prize winner from the U of M. For those who don't know, can you describe the relationship the two of you had?

A Like a lot of things, you build it on something. For us, it was wrestling. He came in one day, and I got to know him. He related many times what wrestling did for him. The great thing about Norman was how genuine he was. I don't think he ever forgot who he was, and the humility he had for being one of the 100 most influential people in the 20th century. ... His life is just a living legacy of the beauty of helping people.

Q The first meet of the wrestling season is in about a month. You have the nation's top-ranked recruiting class for the second year in a row. How good can this year's team be?

A I think they're pretty good right now. This team is going to be as good as they think they can be. Sky is the limit. Does it mean young guys have to come through? Yeah, but we have young guys that can come through. I think it's going to be a fun year.

Q Do you see changes in the way you coach and the mindset of the athletes you get now vs. when you started with the program in 1986?

A There are things that change, but principles don't change. Hard work, all the things that make people great are the same things that made people great 50 years ago. You change some minor things. How you relate to people. You learn that some things work and some things don't work. But fundamentals don't change.

Q You have varied interests. How much longer do you plan to keep coaching?

A As long as I'm enjoying it, I don't see any reason in doing anything else. There are other things I enjoy doing, but that's just part of the whole process.