(STATS) – Mike Kramer long had an outspoken, sometimes eccentric type of coaching style, so his stepping down as Idaho State’s head football coach on Thursday naturally was anything but understated.
Idaho State announced Kramer’s retirement, effective immediately, although the FootballScoop coaching website reported sources said the 61-year-old was relieved of his duties after six seasons.
Former Idaho State offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie, who had recently left for a coaching position at Northern Iowa, was brought back as the new head coach.
“I appreciate the service Mike has provided to the football program and university,” athletic director Jeff Tingey said in a university statement. “We are in a better place academically and socially than before Kramer arrived. Mike has been a devoted member of the athletic department and we wish him well going forward.”
Kramer was 18-50 at Idaho State. He led the Bengals to an 8-4 record in 2014 – their only winning record since 2003 – and was selected as the Big Sky coach of the year. His teams regularly boasted GPAs over 3.0, drawing praise from the university during his tenure.
He previously coached in the Big Sky at Eastern Washington and Montana State. His career record is 95-125 over 19 seasons.
Kramer filed a lawsuit against Montana State in 2007, arguing that school officials fired him under the “without cause” clause in his contract. He was awarded a $240,000 settlement in 2010.
Thursday’s change at Idaho State was sudden. Idaho State announced on Tuesday that Phenicie, who was the Bengals’ wide receivers coach the last two seasons before he was promoted to offensive coordinator in January, had left the program.
“We are building a program at ISU, and we don’t want a Band-Aid fix,” Tingey said. “Coach Phenicie brings with him a wealth of experience as an offensive coordinator at the Division I level. His experience with our players and knowledge of our program will be a big asset.”
Phenicie was the offensive coordinator at Montana from 2003-09 and helped the Griz reach three FCS national championship games in that time. He also spent two seasons as UNLV’s offensive coordinator.
Phenicie will coordinate the offense and handle the quarterbacks in addition to serving as the Bengals’ head coach. He takes over a team that was 2-9 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky last year.
Idaho State is scheduled to begin spring practice April 6.
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