Saint Mary’s Huskies loses defensive coordinator Devin Murphy

Saint Mary’s Huskies football program and defensive coordinator Devin Murphy have mutually agreed to part ways.

“It was pretty much a mutual situation,” commented Huskies head coach Perry Marchese.  “Devin did a great job coaching defense and he did a great job previous to my arrival.”

“When the program didn’t have a head coach, he did a great job.  It was pretty much a mutual deal.”

While Murphy officially left the Huskies football program yesterday, initial discussions between himself and Marchese took place  during the 2012 AUS regular season.

“We met probably three quarters of the way during the season and we talked a little bit about next year,” added Marchese.  “We just agreed at the end of the year, we’ll sit down and talk so that’s what happened.”

As for the question of whether the Huskies football program had any issues regarding Murphy’s coaching styles or philosophies, Marchese put that to rest instantaneously.

“He did a fantastic job coaching football,” said Marchese.  “There’s nothing but he did a great job coaching football for our guys and our program.”

Murphy just completed his second season with the Huskies as defensive coordinator.  He guided the Huskies defensive unit to tops in the CIS in yards against in the 2011 season, averaging 263 yards per game.   The former Huskies defensive coordinator has been with the Huskies since 2008.

Overall, Murphy has played a significant role in the Huskies defensive units’ success as the team won three AUS Championships and nine players have been selected as CIS All-Canadian defensive backs.  For his instructing efforts, he was named AUS Conference Volunteer Coach of the Year in 2009.  Moreover, the former Huskies defensive coordinator played a pivotal role this past summer when Team Canada’s under-19 squad brought home the gold medal from the IFAF World Football Championships.

Previous to coaching the Huskies, Murphy began his coaching career in 2006 with the Ottawa Gee-Gees.  During his stint as defensive backs coach, the Gee-Gees won one OUA Championship title.  Additionally, Murphy served as defensive coordinator of Nova Scotia’s under-18 provincial team in 2010.  The team placed fourth at the Football Canada Cup tournament.

A former CIS player, Murphy suited up for the Gee-Gees for four seasons (2001-2005) as a defensive back.  In 2003, he played in the East/West Bowl.

As for the plan going forward in trying to find the successor to Murphy as defensive coordinator, Marchese has already begun the process. He will sit down with Saint Mary’s Human Resources to ensure the appropriate channels are taken with regards to the search and hiring process.

“It will be my plan,” explained Marchese.  “I’ve already started talking to some people and I am sure more names will pop up as the information gets out.”

“We fully hope to have someone in place by January, possibly sooner.”

While Marchese is currently away from the province this week, he did take time to inform the players of the news of Murphy’s departure.

“The timing was a little tough for them,” commented the Huskies head coach.  “They’re all aware as I sent a message to the team.”

“I’ll be back Sunday, so we will have a team meeting and discuss it along with many other things.  At the end of the day, the players are there for Saint Mary’s and they proved that last year.  With the coaching change, the majority of the guys stuck around and did an amazing job and continue to work hard for each other.”

Marchese says that coaching changes are the norm in the CIS as it occurs all the time and “it’s the nature of the business.”  With Murphy’s situations, the Huskies football program has nothing but praise for his efforts.

“I wish Devin all the best,” added Marchese.  “He’s a great guy and a great coach and I’m sure the guys feel the same.”

With this change, questions now arise as to how the Huskies defensive unit will look in 2013.  Ultimately, the goal is to keep the identity of a nationally renowned defensive unit intact.

“Like my time at Saint Mary’s, the time before me and the time before I got back here, defense played with all kinds of energy, effort and determination,” said Marchese.  “It’s always been one of the identities of Saint Mary’s to be a tough, aggressive defense so I don’t anticipate that will change.”

Photo and logo courtesy of Saint Mary’s Huskies Football Website

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