Pete Rekstis - Football Coach - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Pete Rekstis

Title:
Defensive Coordinator

At FAU
Pete Rekstis was named the Owls defensive coordinator in March 2012. Rekstis came to FAU with eight years experience as the defensive coordinator at Miami University and Kent State University, both of the Mid-American Conference.

At Miami (Ohio)
In his lone season at Miami as the defensive coordinator and safety coach, Rekstis saw safety Anthony Kokal, a safety, lead the squad in tackles with 91 while Pat Hinkel, also a safety was fourth in tackles.

At Kent State
Rekstis gained his fi rst Mid-American Conference, experience at Kent State where built a reputation as an outstanding defensive min, a great motivator, a recruiter and developer of talent. While at Kent State, four defensive backs joined NFL teams. Usama Young (Saints, 3rd Round, 2007) and Jack Williams (Broncos, 4th Round, 2008) were drafted while Abe Elam (Browns) and Daniel Muir (Colts) worked their way onto a NFL team as a free agents. In 2011, defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix became the fi rst freshman ever to win the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. His 2010 Kent State defense was ranked No. 2 nationally in tackles for a loss (8.3), No. 5 in rushing defense (97.2), No. 11 in sacks (2.9) and No. 13 in total defense (306.7). The Golden Flash also set a school record high with 35 sacks. KSU also held two 2010 opponents to negative rushing yards.

At Youngstown State
Prior to Kent State, Rekstis served as the secondary coach for his alma mater Youngstown State from 1999-2003 and as the Penguins’ defensive coordinator from 2001-03. His fi rst season back, Youngstown State posted a 12-3 record and advanced to the Division I-AA championship game. During his fi ve seasons with Youngstown the Penguins’ averaged nearly 15 interceptions per season and tallied 74 in all.

Austin Peay/U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Before returning to Youngstown State, Rekstis served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Austin Peay from 1997-98 and as defensive coordinator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1994-96. He was a four-year starter at free safety at Youngstown State from 1987- 90, where he played for Jim Tressel and helped the Penguins to a record of 32-16. A native of Cleveland, Rekstis graduated from Youngstown State in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He and his wife Gina have three daughters, twins Jessica and Sara, and Natalie, and a son, Pete III (Trey).

PLAYERS PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY
Usama Young – Saints, 3rd Round
Jack Williams – Broncos, 4th Round
Abe Elam – Dallas, Free Agent
Daniel Muir – Green Bay Packers, Free Agent

COACHING EXPERIENCE
2012 – Florida Atlantic (DC/Secondary)
2011 – Miami University (DC/Secondary)
2004-10 – Kent State University (DC/Secondary)
2001-03 – Youngstown State (DC/Secondary)
1999-00 – Youngstown State (Secondary)
1997-98 – Austin Peay (DC/Secondary)
1994-96 – U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Defensive Coordinator)

Bowl Games as a Coach
2000 – NCAA Division I-AA Play-offs
1999 – NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game
1996 – NCAA Division III Playoffs at Coast Guard Academy

Post-Season Games as a Player
1990 – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs
1989 – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs
1987 – NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs
Playing Experience Youngstown State (1987-90)

THE REKSTIS FILE
Education: Bachelor’s in History, Youngstown State 1991 Playing Experience: 1987-90, Youngstown State
Family: Wife, Gina Children: Daughters Jessica and Sara (twins), Natalie; son Pete III