Sports

The Okanagan Sun didn't even wait for the season to end.

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet File Photo

Gavin Lake, introduced here as head coach in the spring, was fired by the Sun Monday

The Sun, coming off their worst regular season in franchise history (3-7), fired head coach Gavin Lake two days after arguably their worst effort in 32 years.

Lake was hired back in the spring after an extensive search to find a replacement for Jason Casey who accepted a position as linebackers coach with Queen's University in Ontario.

Sun President, Paul Carson, will take over head coaching duties in advance of Saturday's BCFC semi-final game in Nanaimo.

A search for a new head coach will begin once the current season comes to an end.

"Despite Gavin's best effort this season has not progressed as we had hoped," stated Carson in a statement released by the team.

"Like any coaching change, this decision is difficult as Gavin is a good man and a good coach who has made every effort to work towards the success of the Okanagan Sun."

At the time of his hiring seven months ago, Carson stated the club had found a 'great leader' for our team moving forward.

"He is a proven winner who understands the importance of developing a program dedicated to excellence on and off the field," Carson said back in March.

How time and a 3-7 record changed that.

Lake did not initially apply for the position, however, he was heavily pursued by the team. He was chosen from a list of six finalists, some local and some from out of town.

The firing came two days after the Sun were embarrassed 48-6 in their home finale at the Apple Bowl.

According to official league stats, the Sun managed -18 yards of total offence in the first half and 97 yards over the course of the game. That included a 92 yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

Carson becomes the 14th head coach in the club's 32 year history and the 5th dating back to the 2008 season.