CFL B.C. Lions

Wally Buono selected as Scotiabank CFL Coach of the Year

Published on February 13, 2007 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Montreal) BC Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono has been named as the CFL's Coach of the Year for the third time in his coaching career by 46 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC). Buono received 34 votes in winning the award which recognizes the commitment and efforts of head coaches across the league, with special honours going to the coach who most demonstrates exceptional leadership, discipline and dedication to excellence during the regular season. Winnipeg's Doug Berry received eight votes while Toronto's Michael "Pinball" Clemons received two votes (Calgary's Tom Higgins and former Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett received one vote each).

"This is a tremendous honour on a personal level and a recognition of the outstanding of our entire coaching staff," said Buono. "The CFL Outstanding Player Awards, the all-star sections, the Grey Cup championship and this award certainly indicate that we enjoyed a lot of success in 2006 and we have set the bar pretty high for the season ahead."

The Buono-led Lions enjoyed one of the most dominating seasons in recent CFL history in 2006 racking up a 13-5 record during the regular season and then capping off the year with a 25-14 Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg this past November. The championship was Buono's fourth as a head coach and his first since joining the Lions.

Highly-respected among coaching peers, Buono has amassed a regular season record of 201-103-2, putting him second only to Don Matthews in all-time CFL wins. His consistency and success have been recognized with the CFL's Coach of the Year award in 1992 and 1993.

As Buono prepares for his fifth season as the Leos' sideline boss he does so with 49 regular season wins for a .680 winning percentage and trails only Don Matthews (56) and Vic Rapp (53) in all-time wins as Lions head coach.

For more information on the 2006 Grey Cup champion BC Lions Football Club please visit our website at bclions.com.

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Canadian Football League Stories from February 13, 2007


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