U of S Huskies name interim co-head football coaches

Huskie Athletics have announced new interim co-head coaches for football.

It comes weeks after Brian Towriss stepped down from a 33-year run as head coach. The abrupt nature of the announcement sparked debate over the circumstances of Towriss’ departure – leading to an apology from the U of S over the handling of the news.

Until a new head coach is announced in March, U of S alumni Brian Guebert and Scott Flory are taking over. Both have previously been full-time assistant coaches with the football program.

“Both have been a part of the Huskie family as student-athletes, alumni and assistant coaches, as well, they have excellent coaching resumes,” athletic director Basil Hughton said in a news release Thursday.  

“The student-athletes are our top priority and we feel this will create stability and support for them during this transition time.” 

The two will work in conjunction to coordinate all aspects of preparation and training for the 2017 football season.

Guebert has spent the past four seasons as special team co-ordinator for the squad.

“We’re here to focus on the workouts for the boys,” he said. “We are also maintaining recruiting and filling the holes of the graduates that left us.”

Flory has been the offensive co-ordinator since 2014.

“Recruiting is tough, knowing somebody else is coming in soon,” he said. “It’s a risk for sure, but the top-level talent is the best and they get to choose where they want to play.”.

The posting for the full-time head coach closes on Jan. 31.

The search committee is being formed right now with alumni, university academics and people with football expertise.

“Huskies board of trustees will not be involved in this decision,” said Dean of Kinesiology Chad London. “I’ve had several people reach out with interest in the position.”

Flory did indicate he’d be interested in the head coaching position, while Guebert wouldn’t say whether he’s applying.

Both won’t be excluded from the search as they’re taking any and all candidates.

“We will have strong internal candidates and we know will have interest from across the country,” London said.

BRIAN GUEBERT

Guebert, the high performance director of Football Saskatchewan, has also served as special teams’ coordinator on the Team Saskatchewan U18 coaching staff in 2010 and 2012 and was the squad’s defensive coordinator in 2013.

Guebert was also a member of the coaching staff for the 2012 and 2016 U20 Team Canada Junior National Team that won gold at the IFAF World Championship, as well as 2014 silver medalist Canadian Junior Team.

Locally, Guebert serves as the commissioner of Saskatoon minor football.

Guebert had a successful playing career as a member of the Huskies’ defensive line from 2004-06, participating in the Vanier Cup all three seasons. He was named a Canada West All-Star in 2004 and 2006 and was also a CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2006. Before joining the Huskies, Guebert was a member of the Saskatoon Hilltops, winning three Canadian Bowl Championships. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2007 (Grey Cup finalist) and 2008.

SCOTT FLORY

Flory returned to Saskatchewan after a 15-year career with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL.

During Flory’s impressive CFL career, he was named a CFL All-Star nine times, a CFL East All-Star 11 times and handed the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award twice. He also won three Grey Cup Championships with Montreal in 2002, 2009 and 2010.

Flory played with the Huskies from 1994 to 1998. Winning two Vanier Cup championships with the Huskies in 1996 and 1998, Flory was drafted to the CFL by the Montreal Alouettes in 1998 (third round, 15th overall). He was named a Canada West All-Star three times and a CIS All-Canadian twice in during his University career.

Under Flory’s guidance, the student-athletes have seen successes offensively.  Three Huskies have been named All-Canadians, while three others have set Huskie Athletics and Canada West individual records.

Biographies provided by Huskie Athletics.

-with files from 650 CKOM’S JT Marshall