Courtesy Leader Post:

Saskatchewan Roughriders fans greeted the news of Kent Austin’s resignation as head coach with mixed emotions Wednesday.

Austin announced at a media conference that he had accepted the position of offensive co-ordinator at the University of Mississippi, his alma mater. The news quickly spread throughout the city to fans who had been following the situation for the past week.

Many fans interviewed at IPSCO Place were upset that Austin was leaving the team but few begrudged him his reasons for doing so.

“It’s a business and seeing as how he played college there I’d have done the same thing,” said Cam Elder. “It sucks to lose him but he probably did the right thing for his family.”

The family chord seemed to play well with people familiar to Austin’s story. The coach has been praised for his faith and strong morals. Fans could relate to the decision to do what was he felt was right.

“He’s looking out for himself and his wife and his kids and he is trying to make his life better,” said Keith Bencharski. “It kind of sucks for us but I’d do the same thing if I was offered something better too. It sucks for the Riders because he was a good coach but I still can’t blame him.”

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