CFL B.C. Lions

Wally Buono Nominated for CFL Coach of the Year

Published on February 9, 2012 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver) After capturing his fifth Grey Cup title as a head coach this past November, BC Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono will step into the coaching spotlight once more as the CFL's all-time leader in wins was nominated this morning as one of three candidates for the league's Coach of the Year honour.

Buono, who stepped aside as head coach in December following a dramatic and historic season at the helm of the Lions will be up against Winnipeg's Paul LaPolice and Edmonton's Kavis Reed for the Annis Stukus Trophy which will be handed out on Friday, March 2nd at the 51st Coach of the Year celebration held at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto, Ontario.

The 2011 Coach of the Year nominees were selected by 56 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada, including representation from each CFL market and a national chapter.

Starting the season with a disappointing 0-5 record, Buono guided his club out of the West Division cellar and back into contention in a highly competitive West Division winning 10 of club's final 11 regular season games following the bye week. Clinching a first-place finish in the final game of the year, Buono's squad defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in the Western Final before downing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 99th Grey Cup Championship.

His 11 regular season wins last year pushed Buono's all-time coaching record to 254-139-3 over 22 years with the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions respectively. The 11 victories also gave him 101 career wins the Leos over nine seasons, a club record. Buono has been named Coach of the Year on three occasions: 2006, 1993 and 1992.

BC Lions 2012 season tickets are now on sale, call 604.589.ROAR for details or visit bclions.com.

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