BREAKING | Carl Pelini reinstated as Cardinal Mooney head football coach, athletic director
YOUNGSTOWN — Cardinal Mooney has reinstated Carl Pelini as the school's football coach and athletic director, following his brief administrative leave during an investigation into his domestic violence charge, which prosecutors dismissed last week.
The school cited a "very thorough" investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and a consultation with the Youngstown Catholic Diocese. Pelini's reinstatement takes effect immediately.
"I want to express my deep and sincere regret that our Cardinal Mooney community and the Diocese of Youngstown were drawn into the private and personal matters of my family," Pelini is quoted in a Wednesday news release from the school. "I wish to express my gratitude to everyone for remaining patient as I worked to clarify the authorities' misunderstanding that led to wrongful, and ultimately dismissed, charges. Most importantly, I am grateful for the support and prayers that our community continues to offer my family as we heal."
Tom Maj, Cardinal Mooney president, said in a statement Wednesday the school's leadership team will continue to monitor coaches and the school's athletic program and "promptly address any issues when, and if, they arise."
"I am grateful that this process of discernment yielded the clarity we need to move forward, together," Maj said. "Our 2021-2022 school year is off to a phenomenal start and our attention needs to be singularly focused on our students' success, so that we can make this the best Cardinal Mooney year ever."
A diocese spokesperson on Wednesday deferred to Cardinal Mooney administrators for comment.
The background
Pelini, 56, was accused of striking his wife during an altercation Aug. 29 at their Ivy Hill Drive home, according to a Boardman Township police report.
But during a Friday court hearing, both Pelini and his wife denied the incident ever happened.
Assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor Mike McBride moved to dismiss the charge in light of new evidence presented by Pelini's attorney, Lynn Maro of Youngstown, the prosecutor's office confirmed Friday.
That evidence suggested the prosecutor's office would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Pelini was guilty of the charge, said Gina DeGenova-Zawrotuk, the office's public information officer.
"Based on all that information, we could not meet our burden [of proof] and elected to dismiss," she said.
Coaching history
Pelini previously coached at Kansas State, University of Nebraska, Minnesota State and Ohio University.
Pelini became Florida Atlantic University's head coach in 2011. He resigned before the 2013 season ended amid accusations of drug use. He later filed a lawsuit saying he was pressured to resign.
In 2015, Pelini was hired by his younger brother Bo, Youngstown State University's head coach.
Pelini was hired as defensive coordinator at Bowling Green State University in late 2017. He then returned to YSU in 2019 and was named head coach at Cardinal Mooney in July 2020.
This story was originally published September 8, 2021 at 4:16 PM with the headline "BREAKING | Carl Pelini reinstated as Cardinal Mooney head football coach, athletic director."