Following Phenicie's graduation from Memphis, he pursued his master's degree while serving as an offensive graduate assistant for the Memphis Tigers football team from 1989–1991.[1]
In 2010, he made his second stop at UNLV. This time, Phenicie stayed five years. He was the offensive coordinator in 2010 and 2011, coached the quarterbacks from 2010–2012, and coached the tight ends in 2013 and 2014.[3]
Phenicie then joined the Idaho State coaching staff as the assistant head coach for offense and wide receivers coach in 2015. Following the 2016 season, Phenicie was promoted to offensive coordinator, but soon after left to take a position on the Northern Iowa coaching staff. A week later, Idaho State head coach, Mike Kramer, retired. The next day, a week before spring practices were set to begin, Phenicie was named the head coach at Idaho State.[2]
Phenicie's original contract was a two-year deal, and made him the head coach for the 2017 season, and guaranteed that he would remain on staff as at least the offensive coordinator in the second year. In December 2017, Phenicie was rewarded with a new contract, nearly doubling his salary, and making him the permanent head coach.[4]
Following his time at Idaho State, Phenicie returned to Montana as an offensive analyst.[5]
Playing career
Phenicie began his college playing career as a tight end at Nebraska in 1984. He then transferred to Orange Coast College for a year, and then moved on to Memphis.[1] He played in 11 games and caught four passes for 50 yards in 1987 for the Tigers.[6]