Marchese addresses challenges, priorities and philosphies for Huskies

After the official introduction to Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies football program on Thursday morning in Halifax, Perry Marchese took the time out to address some of the questions about key issues surrounding the team.

Overall, the one biggest yet personal challenge facing the Huskies head coach from now until training camp will be getting all the players on board. Marchese has made efforts to tackle the challenge since he’s arrived in Halifax.

“They are a great group,” comments the Huskies head coach. “Over the last couple of days, I’ve had a chance to meet with them one on one, met with them as a group and have done a little bit of discussion with them along with the President, Athletic Director, and Keith Hotchkiss so that was great.”

Familiarizing each other will be a key to the success of the Huskies and Marchese is sure that he will be able to overcome this challenge head on.

“One of the big things as coach, you always want to make sure your players will play for you and to do that, they need to get to know you first and I am confident we’re going to get to know each other,” explains Marchese. “They’re going to love us: me and the coaching staff and I am going to love them.”

“What our immediate challenge will be is to get everyone on board and that includes getting the alumni, administration, and our entire football family on board.”

One of those players Marchese is hoping to get on board is Jesse Mills. The Huskies quarterback has been contemplating a move to play with Carleton Ravens. Marchese had two “great” conversations with him as have some of the other coaches. Discussions started with the pivot before Marchese arrived in Halifax.

“I had one great conversation with him before I arrived and when I got into town, we met fairly quickly,” adds Marchese. “I think he’s a wonderful kid and he’s got a fantastic football future at Saint Mary’s University.”

While they will continue to have discussions with Mills, the Huskies know that the final decision lies with the quarterback.

“The decision is with him and we’ll still try to communicate with him but I think he’s indicated that he has a decision to make,” says Marchese, who was a previous quarterback for the team in the nineties. “We’re extremely excited and we hope he stays because we would really love to have him.”

The first priority for the team moving forward will be recruitment. Marchese started this aspect immediately upon accepting the position but is appreciative of the efforts by the co-directors of recruiting: defensive coordinator Devin Murphy and special teams coordinator, Pierre Lefebvre.

“We’re working hard and the current guys who have been here, Coach Murphy and Coach Lefebvre have been working their butt off with recruiting,” comments the head coach. “As soon as I got the job and faxed in that contract, I started to make some contacts and phone some kids.”

“I am optimistic we’re going to get some great kids.”

As for the retainment of coaching staff, Marchese says there will not be much of a turnover. Already, the Huskies head coach has received an outpouring of support from the group.

“I’ve met with almost everyone from last year’s staff so I am really looking forward to meeting with these guys a little more,” adds Marchese. “The majority of them will be staying for sure but they are a great group of guys and I know some of them because I have a history with them.”

One thing that Marchese has disclosed is that he will coordinate the Huskies offensive unit. Using his wealth of expertise in this area, the head coach will bring his philosophy into the overall offensive game plan for the team.

“I’ve always been a big believer of running what you are good at and that means having a good understanding of what our players are good at,” explains Marchese, who was a former offensive coordinator for the Guelph Gryphons. “Using our abilities and talents to get the ball to your best players and make sure we use our people appropriately.”

Team philosophies are very crucial to the success of the any football program, and Saint Mary’s is no exception. In their quest for continuing their tradition of excellence on the field, one thing the Huskies will not do is make any excuses.

“We are not going to be concerned with referees, with the weather or with things we cannot control,” says Marchese. “We will not make excuses for any of those things.”

Ultimately, the Huskies hope to be a tight, cohesive unit on the field next season.

“We’ll be positive and we’ll be a family,” comments the Huskies head coach. “The offense will support the defense and the defense will support the offense.”

“I believe tighter, closer teams like family wins and that will be our team philosophy.”

(top photo credit: Saint Mary’s University Website)
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