Idaho football coach Paul Petrino denied Thursday he had to be "physically restrained" from a reporter from the Moscow-Pullman Daily News during Wednesday's Vandal practice.

Michael-Shawn Dugar, sports editor of the Daily News, wrote in a column Thursday (http://bit.ly/1J7vDOl) that Petrino confronted him after a story by Dugar appeared Wednesday, suggesting that Idaho's attempts to improve its vertical passing attack "just hasn't gone very well."

Dugar said Petrino used profanity toward him, and had to be physically restrained by an assistant coach.

During a brief press conference/teleconference Thursday in Moscow, Petrino and Idaho athletic director Rob Spear read from statements (the full statements are at the end of this story), and took no questions.

"I spoke with two UI athletic department officials who were in the immediate vicinity of the exchange between Coach and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reporter," Spear said in his statement. "I want to make it very clear that at no point was Coach Petrino restrained."

Added Petrino: "Yesterday I reacted poorly to what I believed to be unfair criticism directed at our players and our program. I allowed my passion for the program and our players to spill over into a conversation with Mr. Dugar in which I used an unprofessional tone. I apologize for my language and looking back, I wish that I had handled it differently.

"But, again, let me be clear: I never threatened Mr. Dugar and I was never physically restrained from approaching him; any other characterization of the events yesterday is simply not true."

Both Spear and Petrino pretty much read from their statements, though Petrino, after saying he was never physically restrained from approaching Dugar, "in fact, I was never within seven yards of him."

Not long after Spear and Petrino read their statements before the media, Dugar tweeted the following:

"I will say this about those statements today; I stand by every word of my column," Dugar said. "It's 100% accurate. There will be no retraction/apology."

Petrino is 2-21 in his third season as Idaho coach.

Rob Spear's full statement

Following Wednesday's football practice, I witnessed Coach Petrino's verbal exchange with several reporters from a distance.

I spoke with two UI athletic department officials who were in the immediate vicinity of the exchange between Coach and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reporter. I want to make it very clear that at no point was Coach Petrino restrained.

We're taking this opportunity to set the record straight. Coach Petrino and I have visited about constructive ways to interact with media in the future and I am confident he will do so.

Paul Petrino's full statement

Today the Moscow-Pullman Daily News published an article stating that I had to be "physically restrained" from one of their reporters, and insinuated that I intended to physically harm him. This is not an accurate account of what happened after yesterday's practice. I did not approach the reporter nor did I at any time threaten the reporter physically or verbally.

I am a passionate person, as a husband, father and coach - I will not apologize for that. I believe in our players, staff and the program we are building at the University of Idaho.

Our players and coaches have put an incredible amount of blood, sweat and tears into turning this football program around. I am proud of them and firmly believe we are on the verge of accomplishing great things.

Yesterday I reacted poorly to what I believed to be unfair criticism directed at our players and our program. I allowed my passion for the program and our players to spill over into a conversation with Mr. Dugar in which I used an unprofessional tone. I apologize for my language and looking back, I wish that I had handled it differently.

But, again, let me be clear: I never threatened Mr. Dugar and I was never physically restrained from approaching him; any other characterization of the events yesterday is simply not true.

I will continue to give everything I have to building a successful football program here in Moscow. With the support of our players, staff, administration and fans, we will make that happen.