12/1 12:00 PM PT -- 12/01 -- Disturbing details have emerged in the arrest of Mickey Joseph. The former Nebraska interim head coach was allegedly involved in an argument with an adult woman on Wednesday, before things took a violent turn.
According to court documents, the alleged victim told authorities that 54-year-old Joseph "pushed me on the couch and strangled me." The woman said she was able to temporarily escape to another room, before the coach once again "grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her backward, causing her to fall to the ground."
Joseph then allegedly punched the woman in the face.
Police were called, and when they arrived around 2 PM, they say they observed visible swelling around her eye.
A witness at the scene told police he watched the attack unfold ... and he verified the claims made by the woman, according to law enforcement.
The former head coach was tracked down nearby the alleged scene of the crime about an hour after cops first responded.
Joseph has been charged with a felony, assault by strangulation or suffocation. If ultimately convicted, he faces up to 3 years in prison.
In the meantime, Nebraska has placed Joseph on administrative leave.
Former Nebraska Cornhuskers interim head coach Mickey Joseph was arrested for strangulation and domestic assault after an alleged altercation on Wednesday ... Lincoln Police announced.
LPD says officers responded to a domestic service call from Joseph's home in Lincoln around 2 PM ... and after an investigation, the 54-year-old was arrested at a separate location and taken to jail.
Nebraska's athletic director Trev Alberts released a statement on Joseph's arrest ... announcing he has been placed on administrative leave.
"I was made aware of the charges against Coach Joseph and given the nature of the allegations and based on University policy he has been placed on administrative leave," Alberts said. "We will have no additional comment at this time."
Joseph took the reins for the Cornhuskers after Scott Frost's firing in September 2022 ... going 3-6 as interim head coach.
Matt Rhule was announced as Frost's replacement on Saturday ... and had high praise for Joseph, who's slated to be Nebraska's wide receivers coach and associate head coach under the new regime.
Before he got into coaching, Joseph was a standout running back. He was Louisiana's Gatorade Player of the Year in 1987 and a First Team Parade All-American.
He played for legendary Nebraska coach Tom Osborne in Lincoln ... where he started 9 games, rushing for 1,091 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Originally Published -- 11/30 4:28 PM PT