
Idaho State head coach Rob Phenicie was under investigation from the school for allegedly assaulting players. He was accused of hammer-punching the shoulder pads of former safety Jayson Miller during halftime of a road game against Cal Poly. Idaho State investigated these claims and will not pursue any disciplinary action against Phenicie, according to the Idaho State Journal.
Idaho State president Kevin Satterlee said, “We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our students. Idaho State University took these allegations very seriously, and we will always take steps to ensure a thorough and complete investigation informs our actions in these matters. When we identify areas of the university that need to be improved, we will always take that as an opportunity to provide a better environment for our students.”
The investigation ends a battle between Miller and the Idaho State athletic department, which has been going on for months. The former safety released text messages sent to him and his teammates by former safeties coach Jay Staggs that had racial and gender-based themes.
Idaho State relieved Staggs of his duties, but Miller’s trouble with the school does not end there.
The former safety also complained about the school’s negligence when dealing with his redshirt eligibility. Miller missed almost the entire 2017 season with a knee injury and thought that he would receive a medical redshirt for that season. He realized that he was a senior only six days before the team’s final game due to the school not filing the proper documentation.
Idaho State did eventually file for a medical hardship for Miller after the season, but the Big Sky Conference denied the claim. The university extended its scholarship for Miller to 2020, but he will leave Idaho State to return to California at an undisclosed time. The former safety’s biggest complaint with the school was Phenicie’s alleged assault, who will not face any disciplinary action.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has its own investigation on the assault because that’s were the incident took place. The office is investigating the incident as a misdemeanor charge.