The son of new Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is among three former North Carolina athletes arrested for possession of cocaine, according to police in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Shane Michael Mularkey was among the three arrested, police said. The 21-year-old Mularkey played in all 13 games for the Tar Heels football team in 2009, but school spokesman Kevin Best said he left the squad after the 2010 season.
"I am grateful for the support that I've received from the Jaguars family and apologize for any distraction," Mularkey wrote in an e-mail to the Florida Times-Union. "We are attempting to learn more about the situation, and I appreciate everyone's understanding that this is a private family matter, and therefore we cannot add anything further at this time."
Jaguars owner Shahid Khan gave a statement to the Times-Union expressing his support for Mularkey Friday night.
"I expressed to Mike that I share his concern for his son and the situation, and I let Mike know he has my personal support," Khan said.
Also arrested Friday were 21-year-old Nicole Marie Suarez and 20-year-old Jacob Carl Groeschen.
Suarez was a former member of the school's cross country team who Best said hadn't been involved in the sport since September 2010.
Best said Groeschen was a walk-on quarterback in 2010 and served as a student-manager during the 2011 season. He left the Tar Heels after the team's appearance in the Independence Bowl.
Mike Mularkeywas hired as the Jaguars' coach on Jan. 10. He was previously the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
