“Our goals are to win every play in every game we play in. We have a terrific group of young men here who believe they can win and the entire coaching staff feels the same. Wherever that takes us, it takes us.”
Those are the goals of the Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies as illustrated by head coach Perry Marchese. Last month, the Huskies held their spring training camp in Halifax. Overall, the Huskies head coach was impressed with the effort and atmosphere the team put forth at camp.
“It was a very energetic and competitive spring camp,” says Marchese. “There was a number of great effort plays…too many to mention.”
“We made each other better this spring.”
Marchese is the newest head coach in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) league this season. He took over the head coaching vacancy this past February. Previous to SMU, Marchese has had experience coaching various football programs in the nation. Positions include offensive coordinator with the Guelph Gryphons (2010), offensive coordinator with the Bishop’s Gaiters (2009), offensive assistant (2004) and running backs coach (2005) with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, and offensive assistant (2006) with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Additionally, Marchese coached six seasons with the Steel City Ironmen of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). The Huskies head coach also led Team Ontario to two consecutive national championships as an assistant coach (2002, 2003).
There are a couple of coaching vacancies within the Huskies football program with the departures of Gord Beattie and Pierre Lefebvre. While the coaching staff has not been finalized for the season, Marchese says there’s been a great response to those vacancies.
“We have a number of interested people who want to get involved and have a keen interest in Saint Mary’s football and want to help contribute to the program,” comments Marchese.
Devin Murphy is the defensive coordinator of the Huskies. Moreover, Murphy is also defensive backs and strength/conditioning coach. Assistant coaches include Joe Taplin (defense), Steven Watts (defense, special teams), Derek Weber (defense), Keith Lockwood (offense), BIll Scollard (offense), John McGowan (special teams).
At spring training camp, Marchese says the offensive unit looked solid in spite of having to learn a new scheme.
“All the quarterbacks were great considering the amount of new things thrown at them,” explains the Huskies head coach. “All of the receiving core and running backs competed every rep and play.”
“Our offensive linemen group rotated 12 guys throughout the practices and showed a ton of grit and aggressiveness.”
While he has seen positive signs from the offensive, Marchese says there is still a lot of for improvement between now and the start of the AUS season.
“Offensively, we are still getting to know our guys and what they are capable of, so it is a work in progress,” adds Marchese.
As for the Huskies defensive unit, it was business as usual at camp.
“Defensively, the guys did what was expected,” says the Huskies head coach. “They practiced hard, competed, got after the offense and challenged them.”
The defensive game plan going into the 2012 season will be no different from seasons past.
“Defensively, just as they have in the past, they will fly around and make plays,”explains Marchese.
Even though the Huskies have lost some key graduating players and could potentially lost a couple more players to the CFL, Marchese is not expecting much of a turnover in the player roster. As for the recruitment process, the Huskies did pick up four new recruits. However, this process is still ongoing.
“We are confident we will get some great student athletes for the fall,” adds the Huskies head coach with regards to recruitment and the player roster. “We like our returning group of players and think we can win with them.”
With the 2012 AUS season looming, the Huskies are focused on their goals. One of them is getting back on the path of excellence and winning ways. Last season, the Huskies had a 6-2 regular season record and reached the finals of the Loney Bowl, only to lose to the Acadia Axemen 39-20.
The Huskies want to improve from last season and ultimately hoist the AUS football championship crown. However, they know it won’t be an easy task.
“As for the other teams in the conference, we have the utmost respect for all of them and how hard they work,” says Marchese. “We expect every game this year will be a war.”
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