LAS CRUCES, N.M. (U-WIRE) -- New Mexico State football coach Tony Samuel punched the Athletics Department's video coordinator twice in the face after an argument Thursday morning, but is yet to face charges.

According to a police report filed Thursday by Video Coordinator Ronald Kennedy, Samuel punched him after both became angry due to a "build up of frustration" while discussing a football highlight film around 9:30 a.m. at the football office in the Pan American Center. In the police report Kennedy stated he has had problems with the NMSU football staff for the past four years. Kennedy told police Samuel became violent and started yelling, telling Kennedy, "If you don't leave my office I am going to kick your ass."

Kennedy stayed in the office to try to talk with Samuel about the video project and Samuel punched him once on the chin and once on the left cheek and then pushed him out of the office, the police report states.

Following the incident, Kennedy went to the personnel office and then filed the report with the NMSU Police Department, in which Kennedy is described as "... physically shaken. His hands were trembling, and he spoke with a quiver in his voice."

In the police report, Kennedy complained of soreness but refused treatment to his left cheek.

NMSU Athletics Director Brian Faison said Friday the incident would be handled according to Athletics Department policy. Faison himself will review the incident and then take any disciplinary action.

"The process is ongoing, but after the review is concluded then there may be some disciplinary action," Faison said. "Once there is a decision, then I will sit down with [Samuel]."

In an e-mail to the Round Up, Capt. Stephen Lopez of the NMSU Police Department said Friday if Kennedy decides to file charges, it would be classified as a misdemeanor.

"Since it was not committed in the presence of an officer, [NMSU Officer] Peter Lopez informed Kennedy how he could file charges in Magistrate Court."

Lopez said the case had been forwarded to the criminal investigations section of the police department for further review. In a statement released Friday by NMSU, Samuel expressed remorse over the incident, acknowledging that he and Kennedy met Friday morning with Faison.

"This was an unfortunate incident and I regret that it occurred. We both met in the athletics director's office and reconciled the matter. It is my responsibility not to let a heated situation get out of hand."

NMSU President G. Jay Gogue said Thursday he was aware of the incident, but did not know enough to comment on any specifics.

"At this point I'm sure there would be a review to find out what happened. It'll be treated internally as a personnel matter to determine what happened," Gogue said. "[Faison] will review it and sit down and talk with both employees and see what we can find out."

NMSU Board of Regents President James C. Manatt also declined Friday to comment on specifics. "I'm sorry if someone lost their temper and I'm sorry somebody got hurt and I'm confident we'll get this resolved," Manatt said.

Regents Vice President Laura Coniff was unaware Friday of the incident and declined to comment.

The NMSU football team is coming off its best season since 1967 after going 7-5 and finishing second in the Sun Belt Conference. It was Samuel's second winning season at NMSU after going 6-5 in 1999. Samuel is 26-42 in six years at NMSU.

(C) 2002 The Round Up via U-WIRE.