Wray Morrison

By Wray Morrison

Jim and Jerry re-unite before competition

Uteck Bowl special team co-ordinators have a close relationship

Nov 19, 2022 | 5:03 AM

Jerry Friesen and Jim Daley may have only coached together for one season, but their bond is tight. Friesen is the special teams coordinator for the Huskies, Daley holds the same role for the St. FX X-Men. The two teams meet Saturday in the Uteck Bowl in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Daley was part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders coaching staff from 1993 to 1999. For the final three seasons of that time, he served as head coach. Friesen, who was a part-time assistant coach with the Huskies, regularly served as a guest coach at Roughrider training camp following his CFL playing career. In 1996, Daley offered Friesen the opportunity to join the Riders as special teams co-ordinator. It would be Friesen’s official jump to being a full-time football coach.

There was something about Jerry’s passion for the players that led to Daley hiring Friesen. “He knew there was a love of football, and a love of connecting with players”, Friesen said. “He was my mentor on special teams.”

At the end of the 1996 season the Calgary Dinos were hiring a full-time assistant coach with some teaching. It was at a time when there was more stability coaching at the university level than in the Canadian Football League. Jim and Jerry talked it out. “This was taking a step, and making football a career”, said Friesen. He recalled Daley’s advice. “Take that job, you’ll see what it’s like at the two levels, and the door will always be open.”

From there Friesen went on to be an assistant with the Dinos, before becoming the head coach at the University of Alberta for 10 seasons. He was named the CIS coach of the year in 2004. Friesen then coached at UBC before re-joining the Huskies in 2017. When asked what traits made Daley such a great mentor, Friesen said “We had some great chats. He was always ready to hear and listen and provide a direction.”

The Univeristy of Saskatchewan Mustangs?

Former Mustang Venne commits to U of S, joining Somers and Andrusiak

Jun 25, 2025

season begins on october 3rd

Chasing another banner

Jun 24, 2025

Listen: A chat with former USask LB Lane Novak

Novak is making the most of his time with the Blue Bombers

Jun 23, 2025

Daley has spent the last eight years as the special teams coordinator at St. FX and lives in Antigonish from August to December, while having a home in Calgary. Daley, who would only offer up that he is now a senior citizen, was quick to look for his chance to say hello to Friesen when the Huskies arrived in Nova Scotia this week. Daley started coaching at USports level in his home town of Calgary in 1985, before going to the CFL in 1991.

Friesen summed it up best when he said “Football is a relationship game.” The pair may have only worked together for one season in the CFL, but the Daley-Friesen relationship is deep.

The Huskies visit St. FX in the Uteck Bowl on Saturday at 11:00 am Saskatchewan time, and can be heard on 900 CKBI, 1050 CJNB, Beach Radio 750, and on the free HuskieFAN app.

—

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison