Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini resigns after 'illegal drug use'

Carl Pelini has resigned as head coach at FAU. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis have resigned effective immediately, the school announced Wednesday.

Pelini and Rekstis both admitted to what FAU athletic director Pat Chun called “illegal drug use.”

"It is a heartbreaking day for us all," Chun said.

Chun said Pelini and Rekstis "tendered their resignation after I confronted them with reports of illegal drug use."

Offensive coordinator Brian Wright is taking over as the program's interim head coach. Pelini did not attend the press conference, but he issued a statement that read, "I apologize for exercising poor judgement."

ESPN's Brett McMurphy first tweeted about the unexpected resignations and reported that they were tied to a recent social event at which marijuana was used.

Pelini was coaching his second season with the Owls, having taken the job after serving as defensive coordinator at Nebraska under younger brother Bo Pelini.

The Owls were  3-9 in 2012 and had a 2-6 start in 2013 under Pelini.

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