LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Nebraska on Friday announced that it has cut ties with former interim football coach Mickey Joseph, who is accused of felony assault, the school said in a news release on Friday.
Joseph, 54, of Lincoln, the Cornhuskers’ interim coach for nine games this season, was arrested on Nov. 30 for suspected strangulation and third-degree domestic assault, the Lincoln Police Department said in a news release.
The strangulation allegation is a felony, while the alleged assault is a misdemeanor, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
Facing felony charge, Mickey Joseph no longer part of Nebraska football program https://t.co/In8T0ruAu9
— Lincoln Journal Star (@JournalStarNews) December 16, 2022
“Coach Joseph is no longer part of the University of Nebraska football program or an employee of the University,” a spokesperson for the university’s athletic department told the newspaper on Friday. Joseph’s separation date was Dec. 6.
The department said in a statement it would have no additional comment, ESPN reported.
Nebraska placed Joseph on administrative leave after his arrest
Joseph is accused of putting his hands around a 34-year-old woman’s throat, pulling her hair and punching her during a domestic dispute on Nov. 30, according to a police affidavit.
The 34-year-old victim was not identified in an incident report, KMTV reported.
“He pushed me on the couch and strangled me,” the woman said, according to an affidavit, adding that her breathing was impaired.
The woman said that when she went into the kitchen, Joseph grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her backward, causing her to fall. She also alleged that Joseph struck her in the left temple with a closed fist.
Joseph has denied striking the woman or pulling her hair, the Journal Star reported. He posted bail and was released.
University officials declined further comment when asked whether Nebraska would still owe Joseph the remainder of his two-year assistant coach contract, according to the Journal Star. The contract paid Joseph $600,000 per year through Dec. 31, 2023. While Joseph earned a stipend of $33,350 per month during his time as interim head coach, he automatically reverted to his associate contract once the Huskers hired Matt Rhule on Nov. 28.
Joseph’s next hearing is in late January, according to the newspaper.
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