Brian Towriss Inducted into Canada West Hall of Fame

June 6, 2024 - Regarded as one of the greatest football coaches in conference history, legendary University of Saskatchewan football coach Brian Towriss joins the Canada West Hall of Fame's Class of 2023-24.

From the moment he first stepped onto the field at Griffiths Stadium as a student-athlete in 1974, Towriss gave his all to the University of Saskatchewan football program. He suited up for the Huskies as a defensive tackle from 1974-77, before serving as an assistant coach from 1979-83. He assumed the role of head coach in 1984, beginning a remarkable 33 year run at the helm of the Huskies with success coming at both the conference and national levels.

At the time of his retirement in 2017, he was the U SPORTS record holder for most wins as a head coach with 196. He captured 11 Hardy Cups and led the Huskies to nine Vanier Cup appearances, with national title wins coming in 1990, 1996 and 1998.

He consistently brought the best out of his players, coaching a total of 71 All-Canadians while helping 47 players advance into the CFL, with one player advancing into the NFL.

Towriss is the final inductee to join an impressive Canada West Hall of Fame Class of 2023-24. The class also includes:

​ ​ ​ ​ • Saskatchewan Huskies Women's Track & Field 2002-05 Dynasty

​ ​ ​ ​ • Dr. Lou Goodwin (Builder)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Kelly Grosky (Athlete - Calgary Dinos Men's Volleyball)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Jessica Kaczowka (Athlete - SFU Women's Basketball)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Manitoba Bisons Men's Volleyball 1977-85 Dynasty

​ ​ ​ ​ • Kathy Preston (Athlete - Manitoba Bisons Women's Volleyball)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Alberta Pandas Gymnastics 1988-91 Dynasty

Coach Category - Brian Towriss

Since he first stepped on the field at Griffiths Stadium, the impact Brian Towriss has made on the University of Saskatchewan’s football program has been nothing short of legendary.

His story began as a student-athlete, as he suited up for the Huskies as a defensive tackle from 1974-77, being named a Conference All-Star in 1974. Once his playing days were over, he stepped into a coaching position where his leadership made an immediate impact on the team’s development. ​

He served as an assistant coach from 1979 to 1983, before assuming the role of head coach in 1984. It was the start of a remarkable 33 year run at the helm of the Huskies, with success coming at both the conference and national levels.

During his time as Head Coach he recorded 14 trips to the Hardy Cup title game, compiling a sparkling record of 11 wins and just three defeats. His teams went on to play in four Mitchell Bowls and four Churchill Bowls, winning them all.

On the national stage, he led the team to a remarkable nine Vanier Cup appearances, winning the national championship three times in 1990, 1996 and 1998.

As the years went on, the accolades piled up. He was selected as the Canada West Coach of the Year seven times and won CIS Coach of the Year in 1994. In 2007 he was awarded an Order of Merit from the Government of Saskatchewan for his dedication to the University of Saskatchewan football team. In 2017 he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and in 2019 he was awarded the prestigious Jean-Marie De Koninck Coaching Excellence Award by U SPORTS.

In all, Towriss coached 71 All-Canadians and helped 47 players advance into the CFL and one player into the NFL. Over the course of his dedicated coaching career, Towriss would patrol the sidelines for over 300 games, compiling a remarkable .622 winning percentage with a record of 196 wins, 118 losses and one tie. At the time of his retirement in 2017, he was the U SPORTS record holder for most wins as a head coach with 196.

He will forever be regarded as one of the greatest football coaches in Canada West history.

ABOUT THE CANADA WEST HALL OF FAME

For the last century, organized university sport has been a central part of the student experience at institutions across Western Canada. Beginning with the University of Manitoba capturing the first Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) men's hockey banner in 1919-20, student-athletes have been competing to reach their full potential in sport and the classroom, while enriching campus life. 

To commemorate 100 years of university sport across Western Canada, the Canada West Hall of Fame was created in the spring of 2019. This year's induction class will be unveiled throughout the 2023-24 season.