The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has decided to retain Antonio Pettigrew as an assistant coach in men's and women's track and field despite his May testimony in federal court that he had used performance-enhancing drugs and human growth hormone.

Following his admission during the trial of former Raleigh-based coach Trevor Graham, the International Olympic Committee stripped Pettigrew and his U.S. teammates of their 2000 Olympic gold medals in the 4-by-400-meter relay. Pettigrew had already returned his medal.

The 1993 graduate of St. Augustine's college in Raleigh joined the UNC coaching staff before the 2006-07 year.

UNC athletics director Dick Baddour, in a statement released today by the university, said that "although we do not condone the actions Antonio participated in for a time as a competitive athlete, he is remorseful and is now in a position to speak out against the dangers and consequences of using illegal substances."

Baddour says UNC has one of the most stringent anti-steroid policies in all of amateur sports and that Pettigrew, who had used drugs before coming to UNC, had never encouraged the use of banned substances by UNC athletes.

“I deeply appreciate the second chance the University of North Carolina is giving me," Pettigrew said in a prepared statement. " ... I promise to work hard not only as track coach but as a person who will dedicate myself to teaching young men and women to make the right decisions and to know that there are no shortcuts when it comes to competition, training and integrity.”

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