One of the region's best-known university football coaches says he is still too upset to face reporters after he being dismissed by Saint Mary's University.

Steve Sumarah learned Monday that his contract as head coach with the Saint Mary's Huskies would not be renewed. It's due to expire March 2012.

"Steve has done a great job here at Saint Mary's University," says athletic director Steve Sarty.

"He's made a significant contribution to the tradition of excellence that we're proud of, but as with sports, sometimes a change is required and that's the decision we felt is best for the football program moving forward."

Since taking over as head coach in 2006, Sumarah has led the Huskies to a 35-12 record, including four Atlantic University Sport titles and a 2007 Vanier Cup appearance.

But earlier this week he was told his services are no longer needed and Sarty says there is no specific incident that led to the dismissal.

Sumarah declined an interview with CTV News on Tuesday, saying he is still too upset to talk about the situation publicly, but he says that after pouring his heart and soul into the football program for so many years, he is saddened by the school's decision.

It appears the decision has also surprised many of Sumarah's players.

Huskies receiver John Shreve says Sumarah was an approachable coach and a good leader. He also says if the decision to dismiss Sumarah is based on his on-field performance, it should have happened after SMU lost to Acadia in the Loney Bowl last month.

"From my look at it, if it was going to happen, I figured it would have happened a lot earlier than a month later," says Shreve. "But yeah, I wasn't expecting this to happen at all to be honest."

But former player Paul Pettipas has a theory as to why Sumarah was dismissed.

Pettipas played with the Huskies in the 1960s and now he helps to fundraise for the team. He says there was tension between Sumarah and Sarty, who used to coach together.

"I was disappointed. I was certainly not surprised," says Pettipas. "I don't think they were particularly fond of each other then. I don't think they were particularly fond of each other this year so we could see it coming."

"As we all know, if you can't get along with your boss, you're going to go."

Sumarah is expected to address the issue at a press conference later this week.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Garreth MacDonald