Hardman Faces Drug Rehabilitation Instead of Trial

Cedrick Hardman, 38, former professional football star and Laguna Beach High School coach, was allowed Friday to enter a drug rehabilitation program rather than face trial on a felony charge of possessing cocaine.

Judge Richard D. Hamilton of South Orange County Municipal Court agreed to the recommendation of Hardman’s probation officer, which the District Attorney’s office did not oppose.

Under state law, a conviction of the felony charge would automatically bar Hardman from coaching at Laguna Beach High, where he was suspended from his job as coach last month, pending the outcome of the case.

Hardman refused to say after Friday’s hearing whether he will try to return to his job. However, Hardman’s drug rehabilitation can last from six months to two years, a Probation Department spokesman said.

Hardman’s part-time coaching job previously had been held by teachers who also had their regular duties. Hardman, who does not teach at the school, receives a $1,700 annual stipend for coaching, which amounts to about two or three hours a day for five months of the year, a school spokesman said.

If Hardman successfully completes the outpatient diversion program, the felony charge will be dropped, Deputy Dist. Atty. Steve Bickel said. If Hardman is arrested or fails to comply with the diversion program, he can be tried for the original offense.

Hardman still faces trial for resisting arrest when two Laguna Beach Police officers stopped him at about 2:45 a.m. Sept. 20 and allegedly found cocaine in his car.

Hardman also faces a hearing to determine whether that misdemeanor charge or the cocaine charge violates his probation. At the time, Hardman was on probation for driving without a license and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Hardman was discharged Friday from a residential drug rehabilitation program at South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, where he had enrolled voluntarily four days after his September arrest, defense attorney Ronald P. Kreber said. He will start the outpatient program immediately.

Hardman was an All-Pro defensive end in 1971 and 1975 with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him No. 1 in 1970. His National Football League playing career ended in 1981 with the Raiders.