Wright takes over for Pelini at FAU

Associated Press

BOCA RATON, Fla.

Brian Wright was unexpectedly thrust into coaching in 1994, when a leg injury ended his playing career at The College of Wooster.

He made the best of that situation.

He’s determined to make the best of another unplanned move now.

One day after Carl Pelini — a Cardinal Mooney graduate — sent Florida Atlantic’s program into a tailspin by acknowledging to school officials that he used an illegal drug and tendering his resignation, Wright ran the reeling Owls through practice for the first time since agreeing to be the interim head coach.

“I’ve been prepared for a long time for this opportunity,” Wright said Thursday at a post-practice news conference, with his family looking on. “Didn’t quite think it would be under these circumstances.”

Wright was a graduate assistant at Youngstown State under Jim Tressel in 1997 and later returned as offensive coordinator under Jon Heacock.

Wright spoke for about 20 minutes, the emotions and strain of the situation very clear to see. His voice cracked a couple of times, he vowed to do right by the Owls’ senior class, and he adamantly insisted that he had no knowledge of Pelini or now-former defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis — who also resigned as part of the scandal — doing drugs.

At 2-6, the Owls hardly seem like a bowl-bound team. But if FAU finds a way to get past Tulane (6-2, 4-0 Conference USA) on Saturday, the Owls’ postseason chances would look a whole lot better.