Boca Raton, FL – Florida Atlantic head football coach Carl Pelini resigned effective immediately on Wednesday following media reports of illegal drug use by he and an assistant.
According to ESPN.com, Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis were in attendance at a recent social event where marijuana was being used. Rekstis also announced his resignation following a meeting with Florida Atlantic athletic director Pat Chun Wednesday morning.
"It is with profound disappointment and sadness that I announce the resignation of Florida Atlantic University head football coach Carl Pelini and Defensive Coordinator Pete Rekstis. They tendered their resignations to me late this morning after I confronted both coaches with reports relating to their use of illegal drugs."
Offensive coordinator Brian Wright will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Owls host fellow Conference USA member Tulane on Saturday.
Pelini, the older brother of Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini, was in his second season in charge of the Florida Atlantic program. The Owls had gone just 5-15 under his direction, including a 2-6 overall record this season and a 1-4 mark in the team's inaugural season in Conference USA.
The 48-year-old issued a brief statement regarding his departure:
"I apologize for exercising poor judgment. My greatest concerns at this time are for my family, the dedicated FAU players and my staff. I am confident that Pat Chun and the university administration will continue to move the program forward."
Pelini, who replaced the retired Howard Schnellenberger as the second head coach in the history of the Owls' program following the 2011 season, had never served as a head coach at the collegiate level prior to his appointment. He had spent the previous four years as the defensive coordinator under his brother at Nebraska.
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