SMU Huskies ditch football coach and assistant over team's performance

Big changes were made in the football program at SaintMary's University in Halifax Friday as it relieved Huskies coach Perry Marchese and assistant coach Dean Jones of their duties.

"It really comes down to looking at the performance of the team over the last twoyears," SMU's interim athletic director Kevin Downie told CBC News.

"While Perry has done a lot of good things and came in at a difficult time and is well-liked around the campus,we keep coming back to the performance and we're winless in the last two years."

Downey said the university wants to look to the future and wants to be competitive in the AUS.

"We're not saying we have to go out next year and win the Vanier Cup, but we want to be competitive in our conference," Downie said.

Marchese handled the newsvery well, according to Downie, who noted:"As I'm sure you can appreciate [it was] probably not the biggest shock in the world."

Downie said the university will hire an interim coachto run the office, deal with the players, run fitness programs and make sure they don't fall behind on recruiting.

He said they do have a person in mind, but won't disclose their identity until the paperwork is signed.

Downiesaid the search for a permanent head coach will begin next week.
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