The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are in the midst of their annual player-recruiting phase, and they’re also dealing with changes on the coaching staff.
The football team’s vacant defensive coordinator job was formally posted on the U of S career site Monday, noting that it’s a “high-volume position that works under pressure in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking to meet competing deadlines.”
Previous defensive coordinator Warren Muzika departed in December. Jeremy Long, who was given the offensive coordinator post prior to last season, also announced on Monday that he’s departing the program, saying on X that he leaves “with a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing I’ve contributed alongside amazing coaches and, most importantly, with the incredible players we’ve worked with.”
Linebackers coach Tye Mountney has also left, as has receivers coach Duane Dmytryshyn.
Rejoining the program is former quarterback Mason Nyhus, who was brought in last month as assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator after previously serving as the QB coach at UBC. He is also the Huskies’ recruiting coordinator.
“(Nyhus) was the face and the internal leader of our program in that locker room for numerous years,” says Huskies’ head coach Scott Flory. “The players know him, and there’s still some guys who played with him. He’s got instant credibility within our locker room.”
Saskatchewan went 5-3 last season, beat British Columbia 38-33 in the conference semifinal, and lost 19-14 to the underdog Regina Rams in the Canada West championship.
“There will be change in personality (with the new defensive coordinator), and a little bit of a philosophical shift on defence, just because it’ll be somebody new in there,” Flory says. “But the staples people expect to see … on offence, we expect to move the ball and be explosive. Defensively, we want to play hard, tough, physical, sound football.”
Muzika is a school teacher, and the Huskies seconded him during football season. The new job posting is a full-time position.
“(Muzika’s) got a young family, and we wish he was still here, but we fully support him making the choice to spend more time with his family and his kids,” Flory says. “It’s presented an opportunity for us as a program to add more full-time coaches to the mix.”
Flory will again take on offensive coordinator duties this coming season, and in the meantime, players continue to go through four-times-a-week workouts in preparation for the 2025 season. They commence spring camp May 1, and will launch training camp in August.
The recruiting class has mostly been concentrated on the Saskatoon area so far, and includes Holy Cross running back Aulain Penner and Martensville defensive back Aidan Low, who Flory calls “two of the best players in the province.
“There’s a lot of local talent,” he adds, “and it’s a heavily localized recruiting class so far. It’s going to meet our needs today, and there’s some developmental players down the road I know are going to be very, very good football players for us.”
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