POCATELLO – No matter where Matt Troxel was during an Idaho State football practice, he was never hidden.

His replacement is much more subtle.

Troxel, Idaho State’s former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, let his voice ring out through ISU’s practices as he sprinted around the field in his high-energy style. His replacement, former University of Montana teammate and ISU colleague Mike Ferriter, can rarely be heard over the ambiance of the ICCU Practice Fields.

The contrasting personalities are one of the changes the Bengals’ offense is undergoing this spring, Ferriter’s first as a college offensive coordinator.

“Troxel is pretty amped up during practice,” redshirt junior quarterback Gunnar Amos said following Saturday’s practice. “He’d kind of get on you, and you could see him getting fired up, getting excited. Ferriter’s a little bit more mellow. He’s not really a guy who will come up to you and sort of be yelling. It’s more calm, cool, concise.”

Last Thursday’s spring opener marked Ferriter’s return to ISU after a three-year absence. Ferriter coached the Bengals’ wide receivers in 2013 and ‘14 before returning to Montana from 2015-17, when he led the team’s wide receivers and coordinated the passing game for former head coach Bob Stitt.

When Troxel left ISU for an offensive analyst/quality control job at Oregon State this winter, Ferriter reunited with familiar surroundings. Bengals head coach Rob Phenicie was Ferriter’s offensive coordinator at Montana, and the two worked together on Bobby Hauck’s staff at UNLV.

“Thursday was unique to step back out here and look around and to see the sights that I’m very familiar with,” Ferriter said Saturday. “It feels great to be back. I’m excited to be back in Pocatello and with Idaho State.”

Ferriter has vowed to retain much of Troxel’s terminology and offensive schemes. The two have remained close friends through the years. Plus, ISU’s offense flourished last season with Troxel in charge. Ferriter wants to help provide consistency and stability to an offense – and a program – that yearn for it after years of unpredictable modifications under former head coach Mike Kramer.

“It’s been a while since the offense has had consistency from year to year, even spring to fall,” Ferriter said. “So I’ve tied to take over and use the terminology the players are familiar with, and now try to grow and develop off of that as we push forward.”

Ferriter also filled Troxel’s role as quarterbacks coach. He inherits a four-man group, headed by redshirt senior starter Tanner Gueller, with Idaho transfer Amos at No. 2.

For Amos, who arrived at ISU midway through last year’s fall camp, Ferriter is his fourth position coach in as many years.

“I try to look at it positively,” Amos said. “It’s just another mind to learn from. … I like Ferriter. We’ve kept a lot of stuff the same, but some of the stuff we’ve changed up has been things that I think will help us.”

Ferriter is also using his experience playing wide receiver to pass knowledge on to the Bengals’ pass catchers. Ferriter is one of 14 players in Montana history with over 2,000 career yards receiving.

“Coach Ferriter is really active with the players,” redshirt sophomore receiver Trey Bell said. “He’s really involved, even with not just the quarterbacks. He’s really involved with receivers, giving us tips, talking us up during practice when we’re off to the side, just doing everything to help us out, get us to do what were supposed to do and do it right.”