Pete Rekstis
Defensive Coordinator in Westerly, RI
Pete Rekstis serves as defensive coordinator of the University of Rhode Island football team. Also the team’s defensive backs coach, he draws on his 25 years of collegiate coaching experience to develop and instruct his players, formulate game plans, and recruit student-athletes. Pete Rekstis joined the staff of the University of Rhode Island in 2014, and since then has helped to guide the team to its first winning record in 17 seasons.
Mr. Rekstis previously served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at several colleges in Ohio, including Kent State University, where he was twice named Northeast Ohio College Assistant Coach of the Year. His 7-year tenure with Kent State also saw him coach four NFL draftees and recruit Julian Edelman, who now plays for the New England Patriots.
Pete Rekstis began his coaching career with the US Coast Guard Academy. A former athlete himself, he started at free safety in each of his 4 years at Youngstown State University, where he also led as team captain in his senior season.