PHOENIX - Arizona Rattlers coach Todd Shell resigned Thursday, two days after being arrested behind a Mesa business and telling police he had been snorting cocaine.

Authorities said Shell, a former BYU linebacker who helped the San Francisco 49ers win two Super Bowls in the early 1980s, could face charges of possession of narcotic drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The 43-year-old Shell was taken into custody early Tuesday after he was discovered carrying a clear bag that contained a white powder believed to be cocaine, along with a straw, inside of his shorts pocket, according to Mesa police.

He was turned over to Gilbert police for an outstanding warrant on an extreme DUI citation that he received on Dec. 27, 2003. He was later released after posting $1,000 bond.

“I have decided that it is in the best interest of the Rattlers and my family to step down as head coach,” Shell said in a statement.

Gene Nudo, the Rattlers’ general manager and vice president, said he hoped to hire a new head coach soon but declined to speculate on candidates.

Slide show: The Week in Sports Pictures   Oct. 3 - 9 Images from the baseball playoffs, NFL, college football, and more.

Shell replaced longtime Arizona coach Danny White last year and the Rattlers went 7-9, failing to make the Arena Football League playoffs for the first time since 1992.

Shell coached the AFL’s San Jose SaberCats from 1995-98. He returned to coaching in 2003, taking over the New York Dragons after John Gregory was fired following an 0-4 start. The team went 8-4 the rest of the way and Shell was selected the league’s coach of the year. New York went 9-7 under Shell in 2004.