Carl Pelini denies drug use, seeks reinstatement as coach

Staff report

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Carl Pelini denies drug use, seeks reinstatement as coach image

Just a week after resigning and apologizing for “exercising poor judgment,” Carl Pelini is denying that he used drugs and wants to be reinstated as Florida Atlantic head coach, ESPN reported.

Pelini is also saying he was forced to resign.

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In a statement from Pelini to ESPN, the former FAU coach said he denied using illegal drugs to athletic director Patrick Chun, Last week, according to Chun, Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis both admitted to using illegal drugs when confronted by Chun.

Pelini told ESPN in his statement that Chun said Pelini's "denial of drug use as irrelevant because I was being relieved of my duties for failure to supervise my staff."

Chun told ESPN on Thursday that Pelini "voluntarily resigned" and would not cooperate with the investigation.

Pelini's statement began surfacing Thursday evening. He wrote that after receiving legal counsel that he is seeking reinstatement and that "Reinstatement will allow me to continue the progress which I have made to date with the FAU football program."

And Dieter Kurtenbach of the Sun-Sentinel posted Pelini's resignation letter, which noted that the resignation was "irrevocable."

Chun confronted both coaches last week about reports the two had attended an event where illegal drugs were being used. They both tendered their resignations after Chun confronted them. 

Last Friday, school officials released sworn affidavits from two people — FAU assistant coach Matt Edwards and Allison Stewart. Edwards said he saw Pelini smoke marijuana on Oct. 19 in Key West, Fla., and that he witnessed Pelini and Rekstis using cocaine within the past year. 

Edwards’ affidavit said he witnessed Rekstis using marijuana and cocaine within the past year.

Staff report