SASKATOON, Sask. - Huskie Football head coach Scott Flory is pleased to announce former Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Nyhus is returning to the program after being named Assistant Head Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. 

"This is a great day for Huskie Football," said Flory. "Adding someone of Mason's character, aptitude, leadership, and personality is going to elevate our program and coaching staff. As a coach you always know when a player is going to go on to have a career in coaching past their playing career, and that was evident with Mason. Even as a player, he thought and operated like a coach on the field. It is the perfect time to bring Mason back home to Huskie Football, the program is better with him involved."

A product of Regina, Saskatchewan, Mason Nyhus returns to the Huskies after having spent the last two seasons serving as the quarterbacks coach with the UBC Thunderbirds, where he helped guide signal callers Garrett Rooker and Derek Engel.

As a member of the Thunderbird's coaching staff, Nyhus helped produce one of the best offences in the nation in 2023, which would go on to capture Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl titles on their way to a Vanier Cup appearance. Through a 6-2 campaign, he guided Rooker to lead the conference in both passing yards and touchdowns. This past season, the Thunderbirds were once again one of the most productive in Canada West, with Rooker finishing second in passing yards and third in touchdowns. 

"I am beyond excited to return to the Huskies and join this coaching staff – this truly feels like home," said Nyhus. "There is some unfinished business here for myself and the team, and I wanted to be a part of that. I believe this group has the ability to have that success and bring the Vanier Cup back to Saskatoon."

Nyhus joins an offence that recently completed the 2024 season ranked as one of the most productive in both the conference and country, led by former teammate Anton Amundrud. 

"I'm joining a great quarterback room here," continued Nyhus. "I had the pleasure of playing with Anton [Amundrud], he's an extremely capable player and a better talent than I ever was. He's got a rocket for an arm, can make every throw, and knows the offence. I can't wait to give him everything I have, to mentor him, and to support him on every play, both on the field and in the film room. He has the capability to be the best player in the conference and country, which you can see from his jump from 2023 to 2024. With another leap this offseason, we will be in a great place this upcoming season."

"With Griffin [Sander] and Colin [Farrell], two really talented young players in the room, as well along with Elias [Flory], who I have had the opportunity to coach, and Cohen [Wright], we've got some great athletes both on and off the field."

The former Canada West Player of the Year, two-time All-Star, and 2022 Second Team All-Canadian joins many familiar faces on the Saskatchewan staff, coaches he both played under and alongside as teammates in green and white.

"The staff was a massive reason why I wanted to return to the Huskies. I was recruited and coached by coach [Scott] Flory and wouldn't have had the success, or even played, without him. He's also why I got into coaching, and I attribute much of my success to him. There are so many members of the staff I'm thrilled to work with again: Jeremy [Long] who I worked with as a player; Clovis [Lumeka] and Everett [Iverson], who I played with; and all of the other staff I have great relationships with."

As a student-athlete, Nyhus was a member of the Huskies from 2016 to 2022, serving as the starting quarterback for three seasons. A three-time Hardy Cup champion (2018, 2021, 2022) and two-time Uteck Bowl champion (2021, 2022), he appeared in 51 games, leading one of the best careers the program has ever seen. 

Following his final season in 2022, Nyhus held program records for career attempts (1,155), completions (739), passing yards (9,649), and passing touchdowns (66), records which still stand to this day, along with ranking among the top 10 in a plethora of single-season and game records. 

His career was highlighted by an incredible 2022 senior season, which saw the field general earn Canada West Player of the Year honours after throwing for 2,759 yards and 18 touchdowns on the way to a 7-1 conference record, Hardy Cup title, Uteck Bowl championship, and Vanier Cup appearance. 

Nyhus believes the Huskies have a group capable of returning to the U SPORTS playoffs and building off a strong 2024 season. 

"I watched a lot of film from this past season and live games when possible, and I think you saw a transition period after losing a lot of veteran players like Nick Wiebe to start the year. They were still trying to figure out what type of team they wanted to be while building the internal confidence that the guys from previous seasons had provided. With the experience of last season and the Hardy Cup, they learned how to win, paid their dues, and are ready to carry that into next year."