Buono Steps Down

Those living on the West Coast knew the day would finally come when the BC Lions would be looking for a new head coach.

Wally Buono stayed with his troops this past season despite the terrible start going 0-5, when many were calling for his firing.

Wally has been around the game long enough to know that over-acting does nothing to solve any problem that a team or organization might be faced with.

Taking the team to the 99^th Grey Cup was the ultimate Championship for Buono, who proved it could be done.

Wally is stepping away from the sidelines to take a seat in the press box in the GM’s box which will allow him to concentrate on his new duties with the B.C. Lions for the coming seasons.

This has been in the back of his mind for a while now, but for the team it gives them the chance to start the search for a new Head Coach immediately.

The official announcement came a week after he guided took the Lions to a 34-23 victory over Winnipeg in the 99^th Grey Cup held at BC Place in front of just over 54,000 fans.

Buono was named vice-president of football operations and in addition will keep his GM’s title. Buono posted a 101-60-1 record with the Lions after joining the team as GM and coach in 2003.

He led B.C. to a pair of Grey Cup Championships wins; seven (7) division final appearances and five (5) first-place finishes in the West Division.

Buono has a record of 254-139-3 over 22 full seasons as a coach with the Lions and Calgary. He has won five Grey Cups, two (2) with B.C. (2006, 2011) and three (3) with Calgary (1992, 1998, 2001).

When it comes to Football nobody knows the game like Wally.

Like Bob Hope once said “Thanks for the memories”.