National Football League

Mularkey's son arrested on drug charge

Published Feb. 3, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Chapel Hill police say the son of new Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is among three former North Carolina athletes arrested for possession of cocaine.

Police say Shane Michael Mularkey was among the three arrested. The 21-year-old Mularkey played in all 13 games for the Tar Heels in 2009, but school spokesman Kevin Best said he left the team after the 2010 season.

His father, who was hired by the Jags last month, released a brief statement Friday on the arrest.

"I am grateful for the support that I've received from the Jaguars family and apologize for any distraction," the coach said. "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."

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.

NewsCore contributed to this report