The dust is just now settling on the events of Wednesday within the Florida Atlantic football program. After asking for the resignation of head coach Carl Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis, details regarding Pelini’s contract with the program are beginning to spread and it appears the school could be in a position to seek money from the now former coach.
According to a report by USA Today, Florida Atlantic is entitled to seek $500,000 in damages from Pelini, who was removed after admitting to illegal drug use. The Sun Sentinel also cites a portion of Pelini’s contract that states clearly Pelini was strictly prohibited from the use of narcotics. A direct violation of the terms of a contract can be considered a cause for dismissal by the university at just about any school you check.
“The university does have that option,” McCormack to USA Today. “It has been put in the hands of the university’s legal department. … This has been such a whirlwind and our first priority is to take care of the kids (on the team). But as this starts to fall into place, that is an option.”
Technically speaking, Pelini resigned on his own. because of the technicality in play with a resignation, it could be argued Pelini broke the terms of his contract. That said, the odds the school pursues that money are probably slim.