Carl Pelini Resigns As FAU Football Coach After Admitting Illegal Drug Use

Carl Pelini is out as head coach at Florida Atlantic University after he and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis were confronted over their illegal drug use.

The university announced the changes this week, saying that athletic director Pat Chun confronted the two men, who in response turned in their resignations. Chun said both coaches openly admitted to their drug use, but that no other coaches or players were involved.

“I am personally very saddened for our student-athletes, coaches and staff. I just met with the players a few moments ago and notified them of the news. As you could imagine, the reaction was shock, dismay and disbelief. What I do know is that the FAU football team is a resilient group of young men and they will work through this, and learn and grow from this experience. It is a heartbreaking day for us all,” Chun said in a prepared statement.

The resignations came after an ESPN report that said both Carl Pelini and Pete Rekstis were at a social event where marijuana was used.

“I apologize for exercising poor judgment,” said Pelini in a statement on Wednesday.

The Pelini family has been known for making waves in college football. Carl’s brother Bo, who is the head coach of the University of Nebraska, generated controversy last year when he was heard criticizing the team’s fans. The audio tape was actually from 2011, but shows Bo Pelini berating the unsupportive fans.

“It took everything in my power to not say, ‘F*** you, fans. F*** all of you.’ F*** ’em. Our crowd. What a bunch of f***ing fair-weather f***ing—they can all kiss my ass out the f***ing door. ‘Cause the day is f***ing coming now. We’ll see what they can do when I’m f***ing gone. I’m so f***ing pissed off.”

Carl Pelini was in his second season with FAU, and the team was off to a 2-6 start. Chun said the search for a new head coach has already begun.