A few more things on Troxel possibly heading to coach for the Grizzlies …
1) An interesting tidbit in the article from Skyline Sports …
”Despite his job title, Troxel’s first game calling plays came during Montana’s 62-44 win over the Bengals in early November.”
For me, that’s a big revelation. Idaho State’s offense finished last in the Big Sky Conference in scoring, total offense and rushing offense. The Bengals were 11th in passing efficiency, and only Sacramento State’s QBs were sacked more than those at ISU.
BUT the Bengals had two of their better offensive performances in the season’s final three weeks. How much of that can be traced to Troxel calling the plays?
Starting with Montana, ISU piled up 520 yards of offense on the road, despite losing Tanner Gueller to an injury. With Gueller still hurt, the Bengals managed 292 yards and 17 points against one of the best teams in the country, Eastern Washington.
Gueller returned against Weber State in the final game of the season, and ISU ripped the Wildcats for 442 yards — 362 of those yards via the arm of Gueller, who also had three touchdowns. Did all of that happen because Troxel may have been in full control of the offense?
2) Idaho State’s offensive coordinators under Mike Kramer …
2011-14: Don Bailey
2015: Sheldon Cross
2016: Matt Troxel
2017: ??
Gueller is entering his redshirt junior season. With four starters along the offensive line returning, plus some solid skill players, the offense should take a step forward in 2017.
But every year Gueller has been in Pocatello, he’s had a different quarterbacks coach. Even more concerning, Cross left Idaho State for a high school coaching gig in Washington. And Troxel is, reportedly, interviewing to be a wide receivers coach at Montana.
3) If Troxel leaves, who is his likely successor? Is it Rob Phenicie, the former offensive coordinator at UNLV and Montana? As clawsout mentioned, Bailey is interesting … but maybe only to ISU fans.