From left, Karl Numinen, attorney for Robert Boss, stands with Boss as he enters a plea in the 96th District Court Monday. Boss pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of attempted aggravated - assault domestic violence Monday. Boss was originally charged with one count of aggravated assault-domestic violence when he was arrested in April. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)

MARQUETTE — Robert Boss, the former football coach at Finlandia and Northern Michigan universities who was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault-domestic violence in April, entered a no contest plea to a reduced charge of attempted aggravated assault – domestic violence in the 96th District Court Monday.

The charge of attempted aggravated assault-domestic violence, which stems from an August 2016 incident in Marquette County, is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and $500 in fines, Judge Robert Kangas said at Boss’s plea appearance.

At the time of the alleged incident, Boss, 34, of Baraga, was employed as the run-game coordinator/offensive line coach for NMU’s Wildcats football team. He was appointed as co-interim head coach for the team in November 2016, a position he held until December of that year.

Boss had been hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the Finlandia University Lions in January 2017 and was named the head coach for the team in November 2017, according to a previous Journal article.

Boss then was separated from his position with Finlandia University on April 18.

Boss had previously entered a not guilty plea to the original charge of one count of aggravated assault-domestic violence after his arraignment in district court was waived on April 23.

Before the plea appearance was scheduled, Boss had been set to face a jury trial upon the charge of aggravated assault-domestic violence in district court Oct. 26, according to court documents.

Boss is scheduled for a pre-sentence interview on Dec. 17 and will be sentenced on Jan. 3, according to court documents.