Cocaine Charges May Be Dropped Against Laguna Beach Coach

Felony cocaine charges will be dropped against Laguna Beach High School football coach Cedrick Hardman later this month after the court gives final approval to a drug diversion program he is undergoing, his attorney said after a meeting with the judge and prosecutor Friday.

South Municipal Court Judge Richard D. Hamilton postponed Hardman’s arraignment until Oct. 24 to await a probation report that is expected to include approval of the program Hardman entered last month.

Ronald P. Kreber, Hardman’s attorney, said he was assured by the judge that the charges would be dropped then if Hardman is still in the program.

Hardman, 37, a former National Football League All-Pro defense end, was arrested Sept. 20 after being stopped for speeding on Laguna Canyon Road. Police said they spotted a small bag containing cocaine in his briefcase as Hardman searched for his driver’s license.

Kreber said Hardman should have no trouble getting final approval for the diversion program because he voluntarily enrolled himself and has no prior criminal record other than traffic-related tickets.

‘Big Steps Ahead’

“He’s still got some big steps ahead of him, but I think Cedrick is ready to put this all behind him,” Kreber said.

About 25 supporters, most of them parents of some of his players, were in court with Hardman, who has been suspended without pay by the school board.

“Our goal is to get him back to coaching,” Kreber said. “We think we can do it.”

The board is expected to reconsider its decision on Hardman within 10 days of the date the case is resolved in court.

Hardman is being treated at South Coast Medical Center’s in-patient Genesis-Chemical Dependency Program in Newport Beach. He will remain there for another 20 days, Kreber said. Outpatient treatment will follow that, probably about six months, Kreber said, depending on Hamilton’s orders.

Hardman played 12 years in the National Football League, 10 years with the San Francisco 49ers. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 1980 and retired the next year.