SASKATOON – A pair of former standouts with the Huskie football team are returning to the program, as head coach
Scott Flory announced two additions to his coaching staff on May 27.
Bret Thompson and Lyle Evanisky, who between them won four Hardy Cups in their seven combined years of university playing experience, will join the program as defensive back and running back / tight end coaches respectively.
A national champion with the Saskatoon Hilltops prior to joining the Huskies, Thompson quarterbacked the Huskies in 2006 and 2007, leading the team all the way to the Vanier Cup game on home turf inside Griffiths Stadium in 2006.
"There's a lot of tradition and pride for the Huskies in our city and in our province," said Thompson. "The opportunity to give back to a program that I played for was a big draw."
A Saskatoon local, Thompson will bring 10 years of head coaching experience at the high school level to the program, spending six years at Bedford Road Collegiate and four at Evan Hardy. The former quarterback now joins Cody Halseth and Paul Woldu as defensive backs coach for the Huskies.
"I think I can bring a new set of eyes," said Thompson. "I'm definitely not an expert in the field of drills and skills but as far as bringing a whole different offensive perspective to the table, I can hopefully help the players grow."
"Bret is a huge addition to our program with his background as not only an elite athlete with the Huskies, but also his extensive coaching background," said Huskies head coach
Scott Flory. "He has an ability to communicate with guys and will bring an offensive perspective to the defensive side of the ball."
A receiver on the Huskies from 2001-05, Evanisky was a member of three Hardy Cup champion teams and reached the Vanier Cup game in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
"Before you sign on to be a part of the Huskie program you know that there are so many people that support it," said Evanisky. "It's a program that's been successful over the years, I had a great experience as a player and that's something I want to give back now as a coach."
Evanisky has accrued a diverse coaching background since leaving the Huskies. Stops as a head coach at Elrose and Martensville line up alongside roles with Team Saskatchewan under-18 (where he won two national championships in four years), the Saskatoon Valkyries and Team Canada Flag Football.
"Energy, positive attitude and effort," said Evanisky on what he can bring to program. "In my past experience as a head coach I know that those things can make up for mistakes a lot of the time. If you can get players to buy into the program, believe in the guys next to them and just give 100 per cent effort, that's the key."
The former receiver will stay on the offensive side of the ball, as he joins Dan Houle in charge of the running back and tight end group.
"Lyle is going bring a depth of knowledge," said Flory. "He has a lot of international, youth and high-performance experience. Moving up to the university ranks is another step in his coaching journey. He will bring a ton to our staff and has a lot of potential as a young coach."
Huskie football is eyeing a return to play in 2021, after the 2020 Canada West season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 the Huskies went 5-3 in the regular season, hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2012 and made it back to the Hardy Cup game for the second year in a row.
