U of S President apologizes for mishandling of football coach's departure

University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff is apologizing after Brian Towriss stepping down as Huskies football coach raised eyebrows.
 
“I want to apologize publicly for the handling of that announcement,” he said in a statement.
 
“Huskie supporters and alumni, our current student athletes and coaching staff deserved a far better communication and celebration of Brian Towriss’s longstanding commitment to excellence here.”
 
On Dec. 19, 2016 Towriss stepped down from his positions, but questions were raised by players and coaching staff who didn’t see it coming.
 
Towriss said he appreciates the apology, but maintained it was still the best time for him to step down. He cited the new direction Huskies athletics is headed with a new dean of kinesiology, new athletic director and a Huskie board of directors.
 
Stoicheff said said the decision for Towriss wasn’t based on performance, health or wrongdoing, just that it was time for a change.
 
Stoicheff said further celebrations of Towriss’s career will happen at a future date.