Matt Troxel’s return to his alma mater was short lived.
The former Montana wide receiver spent six seasons on Mike Kramer’s staff at Idaho State before returning to coach the Grizzlies in January. He was hired as Bob Stitt’s inside wide receivers coach four months ago, leaving his position as ISU’s offensive coordinator to return to the Garden City.
Earlier this month, Kramer was fired at Idaho State. Rob Phenicie, the offensive coordinator at Montana from 2002 until 2009 who ever so briefly replaced Troxel as ISU’s OC, was hire promptly as Kramer’s replacement.
Meanwhile, Troxel coached Montana through spring drills, working with a talented inside receivers group that includes senior Josh Horner, sophomore Jerry Louie-McGee and sophomore Colin Bingham. On Tuesday, Troxel’s return to UM ended.
Idaho State announced Tuesday that Phenicie has hired Troxel to return to Idaho State for his seventh season with the program, again as the offensive coordinator.
Rob Phenicie/by ISU Athletics
“I was approached several years ago by Murray State as a potential candidate for a job there. He was the first person that I asked,” Phenecie, the OC at Montana during Troxel’s playing days, said in an ISU press release. “I always felt that if I ever got a head job that he would be one of the first hires I made. He and I speak the same language. We can communicate without saying so many words to each other. I think you saw some of our efforts toward the end of the season together.”
During Troxel’s time at Idaho State he has coached the inside wide receivers, special teams, offensive line, quarterbacks and served one year as the offensive coordinator.
“The opportunity to return to Idaho State was one I could not pass on,” Troxel said in the ISU press release. “I’ve known Coach Phenicie since I was a junior in high school. He coached me at the University of Montana and has been a great friend of mine in the coaching profession. Coach Phen has a great plan and vision for the program. I knew if I passed on the opportunity I would be missing out on something special that is about to happen in Pocatello.”
Multiple sources confirmed to Kyle Sample of Skyline Sports that Troxel did not have full control of the offense under Kramer. Three independent sources also confirmed to Skyline Sports that Phenicie lured Troxel back to Pocatello by offering a two-year guarantee that includes a $25,000 annual raise from his previous ISU salary and full control of the offensive play calling.
“The last big piece for me is the athletes and staff at Idaho State,” Troxel said. “We’ve put in a lot of great work over the six seasons I’ve been in Pocatello. When I left in January I felt like I let the players down and in my heart I knew the job was unfinished. I came back to finish what we started.”
Kyle Sample contributed to this story. Photos attributed. All Rights Reserved.
