POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State football coach
Rob Phenicie has announced that Matt Troxel will return to ISU as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Troxel was in this same role in 2016 before leaving briefly for a position at Montana.
Troxel is no stranger to the ISU football program as he joined the staff in 2011 when Mike Kramer was hired. Troxel is also no stranger to working with Phenicie.
"The opportunity to return to Idaho State was one I could not pass on," Troxel said. "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."
Phenicie added, "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. 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."
Troxel will enter his seventh season at Idaho State. 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 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."
Troxel came to Idaho State after serving as the graduate assistant at the University of Idaho from 2009-2011. Troxel was a part of the 2009 Idaho team that won the Humanitarian Bowl.
Troxel is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference as he was a student-assistant in 2008. He played collegiate football at Montana from 2004-07 where his team was the 2004 1-AA National Runner-Up, 2004 Big Sky Champion. Montana won the Big Sky championship all four years he played at Montana. In 2006 the Grizzlies advanced the 2006 FCS semi-finals.
Troxel was a three-year letterman as a wide receiver, kick returner, punt returner and a holder.
"First, I'd like to thank my wife, Katie, for getting our family through two moves in three months, which is pretty crazy," Troxel said. "I'd like to thank Coach Mike Kramer for giving me a chance to be part of Idaho State University. He hired me for my first full time coaching job and I have a lot of respect for him. I also want to thank Coach Bob Stitt and the University of Montana for giving me a chance to coach at my Alma Mater. Montana is a special place to me and it was very difficult to leave so soon."
