Towriss' unexpected departure sparks outrage in Huskies community

Three Vanier Cups, 11 Hardy Cups and 196 wins during his 33 seasons.

But all anybody is talking about is why did University of Saskatchewan Huskies football coach Brian Towriss step down this week?

“We don’t know what our future holds,” said Huskies Defensive Coordinator Ed Carlton on Gormley Thursday morning.

“We assume a new coach will have a new coaching staff,” he said, adding that he intends to step down with Towriss.

The circumstances around his departure are unclear, even to Carlton who’s been with him since 1995.

“A month ago we were planning our next two seasons,” he said.

“I expected that’s how long he was going to be present.”

A press conference was held Monday afternoon when Towriss announced his retirement, but there was a noticeable absence of anyone in a senior rank from the U of S.

“Two coaches, an athletic director, and sports info person present, that was the send off to a guy who gave four decades to the university,” Carlton said.

Towriss couldn’t answer to his coaching staff why he announced his retirement, nor could he at the press conference.

“Tough to say — it was the right time for me to step down, and I refer the other questions to Basil,” he said.

Athletic Director Basil Hughton said Towriss did, in fact, step down.

“It’s hard for him to answer because it’s emotional,” he said.

“He’s leaving and chose to step down, we’ve had these conversations for a while.”

U of S President Peter Stoicheff wasn’t in attendance for the announcement Monday and hasn’t been commenting, citing Towriss’ privacy, but broke his silence Thursday morning.

“I’m hoping there will be a retirement celebration for BT in the new year,” he said.

“I’m hoping to be invited to that and be asked to speak about his great legacy.”

Carlton said it’s been a tough week for Huskies football.

“You feel neglected and left out in the wind,” he said.

“He didn’t have any health problems, I was appalled on how he’s been sent off.”

A new interim coach will be named in the new year.

-with files from Bryn Levy