Wally Buono

Wally Buono CM

BC Lions
BC Lions GM Wally Buono
Date of birth:	(1950-02-07) February 7, 1950
Place of birth:	Potenza, Italy
Career information
Position(s):	General manager
College:	Idaho State University
Organizations
As administrator:
1992–2002 2003–present	Calgary Stampeders (GM) BC Lions (GM)
As coach:
1983 1987–1989 1990–2002 2003–2011	Montreal Concordes (AC) Calgary Stampeders (AC) Calgary Stampeders (HC) BC Lions (HC)
As player:
1973–1982	Montreal Alouettes
Career highlights and awards
Awards:	Annis Stukus Trophy (1992, 1993, 2006, 2011)
Honours:	7x Grey Cup champion – (1974, 1977, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2011)
Records:	Most regular-season wins by a head coach (254), most first-place finishes by a head coach (13), most Grey Cup wins by a head coach (5)
Career stats
Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Pasquale "Wally" Buono^[1][2] CM (born February 7, 1950) is the general manager, vice president of football operations and alternate governor of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, and one of the most successful head coaches in league history. He spent 22 years as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions, which is tied for the most seasons coached all-time. On September 19, 2009, Buono became the CFL's all-time winningest coach when his Lions beat the Toronto Argonauts 23–17, giving him 232 regular-season victories, passing Don Matthews.^[3] He retired with a CFL record 254 regular-season wins as head coach.

Buono's post-season coaching record is 22–16, with five Grey Cup victories in nine appearances. He won the Grey Cup championship in 1992, 1998 and 2001 as head coach of the Stampeders and in 2006 and 2011 as head coach of the Lions. He won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's Coach of the Year four times, in 1992, 1993, 2006, and 2011, second only to Don Matthews, who had five.^[4][5]

Early years and playing career

Born in Potenza, Italy in 1950, Buono moved to Canada in 1953 with his family. He became interested in football after playing pick up games as a youth in Montreal-Nord. Soon after, he began playing minor football in Montreal.

Buono attended Idaho State University and was a linebacker for the ISU Bengals. He returned to Canada and played 10 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes as a linebacker and punter, appearing in 152 games. He appeared in five Grey Cups between 1972 and 1981, winning two in '74 and '77.

Coaching career

Calgary Stampeders

Shortly after his retirement, Buono landed an assistant coaching position with the Montreal Concordes (which the Alouettes had been renamed following a bankruptcy and an ownership change) in 1983. In 1987, he moved to Calgary and worked with the Calgary Stampeders under Larry Kuharich until 1990, when he was hired as head coach by Stampeders president Norman Kwong.

Buono served as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders for thirteen years (1990–2002), amassing a regular season record of 153–79–2, with eight first-place finishes, including five straight from 1992 to 1996, and missing the playoffs only once, in 2002. The Stampeders went to six Grey Cup games under Buono, winning three in 1992, 1998, and 2001, and losing three in 1991, 1995, 1999. He left the franchise as its winningest coach in terms of victories and championships.

BC Lions

Buono left the Stampeders in 2003 and was hired as head coach and general manager of the BC Lions prior to the 2003 season. In the first five seasons under Buono (2003–2007), the Lions went 62–27–1 in regular-season play, with five straight playoff appearances, four straight first-place finishes (2004–2007), and two Grey Cup appearances: a 27-19 loss to the Toronto Argonauts in 2004 and a 25-14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in 2006. His teams went through a slight downturn for the following three seasons, including two that were under .500. His team returned to prominence in 2011 after they once again finished first in the west division and followed it with a 34-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 99th Grey Cup at home.

He announced his resignation as head coach of the Lions on December 5, 2011 to focus on his duties as general manager.^[6]

In 2014, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Style

Buono is often credited with developing some of the best CFL quarterbacks of his era, such as Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson and Travis Lulay. He is known as one of the best offensive minds in league history.

CFL coaching record

Team	Year	Regular season					Post-season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
CGY	1990	11	6	1	.639	1st in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
CGY	1991	11	7	0	.611	2nd in West Division	2	1	Lost in Grey Cup
CGY	1992	13	5	0	.722	1st in West Division	2	0	Won Grey Cup
CGY	1993	15	3	0	.833	1st in West Division	1	1	Lost in Division Finals
CGY	1994	15	3	0	.833	1st in West Division	1	1	Lost in Division Finals
CGY	1995	15	3	0	.833	1st in North Division	2	1	Lost in Grey Cup
CGY	1996	13	5	0	.722	1st in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
CGY	1997	10	8	0	.556	2nd in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Semi-Finals
CGY	1998	12	6	0	.667	1st in West Division	2	0	Won Grey Cup
CGY	1999	12	6	0	.667	2nd in West Division	2	1	Lost in Grey Cup
CGY	2000	12	5	1	.694	1st in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
CGY	2001	8	10	0	.444	2nd in West Division	3	0	Won Grey Cup
CGY	2002	6	12	0	.333	5th in West Division	-	-
CGY Total		153	79	2	.659	8 West Division Championships	15	9	3 Grey Cups
BC	2003	11	7	0	.611	4th in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Semi-Finals
BC	2004	13	5	0	.722	1st in West Division	1	1	Lost in Grey Cup
BC	2005	12	6	0	.667	1st in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
BC	2006	13	5	0	.722	1st in West Division	2	0	Won Grey Cup
BC	2007	14	3	1	.806	1st in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Finals
BC	2008	11	7	0	.611	3rd in West Division	1	1	Lost in Division Finals
BC	2009	8	10	0	.444	4th in West Division	1	1	Lost in Division Finals
BC	2010	8	10	0	.444	3rd in West Division	0	1	Lost in Division Semi-Finals
BC	2011	11	7	0	.611	1st in West Division	2	0	Won Grey Cup
BC Total		101	60	1	.627	5 West Division Championships	7	7	2 Grey Cups
Total		254	139	3	.645	13 West Division Championships	22	16	5 Grey Cups

Wally Buono Award

The Wally Buono Award was established in 2003 by The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation for the purpose of recognizing Canada's top junior football player. The award is a national award.^[7] Recipients must prove their athletic and leadership ability on the field as well as a high level of leadership within their community. The Saint Bernard Pass Charitable Foundation is the Swiss based foundation of Christina Saint Marche. The winners of the award are as follows:

• 2013 – QB Asher Hastings, Regina Thunder (PCF/CJFL)
• 2012 – QB Jordan Yantz, Vancouver Island Raiders (BCFC/CJFL)
• 2011 – SB Michael Schaper, Vancouver Island Raiders (BCFC/CJFL)^[8]
• 2010 – DL Kleevens Jean-Louis, Châteauguay Raiders (QJFL)^[9]
• 2009 – RB Andrew Harris, Vancouver Island Raiders (BCFC/CJFL)^[10]
• 2008 – WR Cassidy Doneff, Calgary Colts (PFC/CJFL)^[11]
• 2007 – RB Tristan Jones, Edmonton Wildcats (PFC/CJFL)^[12]
• 2006 – QB Nate Friesen, Winnipeg Rifles (PFC/CJFL)^[13]
• 2005 – RB Jeff Halvorson, Posthumous, Okanagan Sun (BCFC/CJFL)^[14]
• 2004 – RB Chris Ciezki, Edmonton Huskies (PFC/CJFL)^[15]
• 2003 – RB Alan Giacalone, Calgary Colts (PFC/CJFL)^[16]

See also

• List of professional gridiron football coaches with 200 wins

References

External links

• Wally Buono at BCLions.com
• Wally Buono on Twitter

Awards
Preceded by Adam Rita	CFL Coach of the Year 1992–1993	Succeeded by Don Matthews
Preceded by Adam Rita Don Matthews Steve Buratto Danny Maciocia Marc Trestman	Grey Cup winning Head Coach 80th Grey Cup, 1992 86th Grey Cup, 1998 89th Grey Cup, 2001 94th Grey Cup, 2006 99th Grey Cup, 2011	Succeeded by Ron Lancaster Ron Lancaster Don Matthews Kent Austin Scott Milanovich
Preceded by Tom Higgins	CFL Coach of the Year 2006	Succeeded by Kent Austin
Preceded by Jim Barker	CFL Coach of the Year 2011	Succeeded by Incumbent

Montreal Alouettes 62nd Grey Cup Champions Jimmy Jones Don Sweet Rudy Florio Phil Price Johnny Rodgers Tony Proudfoot Steve Ferrughelli Ward Smith Wally Buono Wayne Conrad Barry Randall Glen Weir Joe Critchlow Peter Dalla Riva Chuck Zapiec Marv Luster Art Edgson Dan Yochum Gary Chown Ian Mofford Sonny Wade Keith Eaman Dickie Harris Gene Gaines Larry Sherrer Mike Widger Larry Smith Doug Mitchell Ray Watrin Dave Braggins Ed George Carl Crennel Gordon Judges Junior Ah You Pat Bonnett Jerome Gantt Jake Zumbach Doug Smith Head coach: Marv Levy

Montreal Alouettes 65th Grey Cup Champions Barry Ardern Dwayne Crump Gerry Dattilio Horace Belton Chuck McMann Dickie Harris Pat Bonnett Larry Smith Dan Yochum Marvin Davis Peter Dalla Riva Ray Watrin Barry Randall Joe Barnes Ian Mofford Bob Gaddis Tony Proudfoot Les Strayhorn Clifton Alapa Brock Aynsley Wally Buono Gary Chown Gabriel Gregoire Jim Burrow Randy Rhino Vernon Perry Junior Ah You Doug Smith Chuck Zapiec Glen Weir Gordon Judges Carl Crennel Wayne Conrad Sonny Wade John O'Leary Don Sweet John Beaton Max Huber Andy Hopkins Head coach: Marv Levy

Canadian Football League general managers by team West Division Wally Buono (BC) John Hufnagel (Calgary) Ed Hervey (Edmonton) Brendan Taman (Saskatchewan) East Division Kent Austin (Hamilton) Jim Popp (Montreal) Marcel Desjardins (Ottawa) Jim Barker (Toronto) Kyle Walters (Winnipeg)

Calgary Stampeders head coaches Carl Cronin (1935–1938) Dick Haughian (1939) Larry Haynes (1940) Dean Griffing (1945–1947) Les Lear (1948–1952) Bob Snyder (1953) Larry Siemering (1954) Jack Hennemier (1955–1956) Otis Douglas (1956–1960) Jim Finks (1960) Steve Owen (1960) Bobby Dobbs (1961–1964) Jerry Williams (1965–1968) Jim Duncan (1969–1973) Jim Wood (1973–1975) Bob Baker (1975–1976) Joe Tiller (1976) Jack Gotta (1977–1979) Ardell Wiegandt (1980–1981) Jerry Williams (1981) Jack Gotta (1982–1983) Steve Buratto (1984–1985) Bud Riley (1985) Bob Vespaziani (1986–1987) Lary Kuharich (1987–1989) Wally Buono (1990–2002) Jim Barker (2003) Matt Dunigan (2004) Tom Higgins (2005–2007) John Hufnagel (2008–2015) Dave Dickenson (2016–future)

Calgary Stampeders general managers Bob Robinett (1953–1955) Bob Masterson (1956) Jim Finks (1957–1964) Patrick Morgan Mahoney (1964) Rogers Lehew (1965–1973) Gary Hobson (1974–1976) Jack Gotta (1977–1983) Steve Buratto (1984) Earl Lunsford (1985–1987) Vern Siemens # (1987) Norman Kwong (1988–1991) Wally Buono (1992–2002) Fred Fateri (2003) Mark McLoughlin (2003) Ron Rooke (2003) Matt Dunigan (2004) Jim Barker (2005–2007) John Hufnagel (2008– ) Pound sign (#) denotes interim general manager.

BC Lions head coaches Annis Stukus (1954–1955) Clem Crowe (1956–1958) Dan Edwards (1958) Wayne Robinson (1959–1961) Dave Skrien (1961–1967) Ron Morris (1967) Jim Champion (1967–1969) Jackie Parker (1969–1970) Eagle Keys (1971–1975) Cal Murphy (1975–1976) Vic Rapp (1977–1982) Don Matthews (1983–1987) Larry Donovan (1987–1989) Joe Galat (1989) Lary Kuharich (1990) Jim Young (1990) Bob O'Billovich (1990–1992) Dave Ritchie (1993–1995) Joe Paopao (1996) Adam Rita (1997–1998) Greg Mohns (1998–2000) Steve Buratto (2000–2002) Adam Rita (2002) Wally Buono (2003–2011) Mike Benevides (2012–2014) Jeff Tedford (2015–)

BC Lions general managers Phil Webb (1954–1956) Herb Capozzi (1957–1966) Denny Veitch (1967–1970) Jackie Parker (1971–1975) Bob Ackles (1975–1985) Joe Galat (1986–1989) Joe Kapp (1990) Jim Young # (1990) Bob O'Billovich (1990–1992) Eric Tillman (1993–1995) George Chayka (1996) Adam Rita (1997–2002) Wally Buono (2003– ) Pound sign (#) denotes interim general manager.

Calgary Stampeders 80th Grey Cup Champions Karl Anthony Carl Bland Paul Clatney Tim Cofield Bruce Covernton Derrick Crawford Doug Davies Marc Dube Matt Finlay Doug Flutie Duane Forde Darryl Hall Harald Hasselbach Keyvan Jenkins Alondra Johnson Will Johnson Stu Laird Kenton Leonard Tony Martino Mark McLoughlin Andy McVey Eric Mitchel Ken Moore Greg Peterson Allen Pitts Marvin Pope Rocco Romano Dave Sapunjis Pee Wee Smith Todd Storme Steve Taylor Junior Thurman Bob Torrance Erroll Tucker Kent Warnock Ken Watson Srecko Zizakovic Greg Knox Head coach: Wally Buono

Calgary Stampeders 86th Grey Cup Champions 2 Terry Vaughn 3 Jackie Kellogg 4 Darryl Hall 6 Jason Clemett 7 Jeff Garcia 8 Greg Knox 9 Aldi Henry 11 Tony Martino 12 Greg Frers 13 Mark McLoughlin 14 Oteman Sampson 15 Dave Dickenson 16 Henry Burris 18 Allen Pitts 27 Terrence McEvans 29 Eddie Davis 31 Roger Reinson 32 Kelvin Anderson 34 Duane Forde 47 Marvin Coleman 50 Jay McNeil 51 Alondra Johnson 58 Shonte Peoples 59 Rocco Romano 62 Jung-Yul Kim 63 Rohn Meyer 64 Thomas Rayam 65 Robert Robinson 67 Jamie Crysdale 68 Fred Childress 69 Byron Thomas 80 Willis Marshall 81 Harland Ah You 82 Andre Arlain 83 Travis Moore 85 Dan Disley 87 Aubrey Cummings 88 Vince Danielsen 94 Jeff Traversy 95 Jermaine Miles 96 Bronzell Miller -- Farell Duclair Head Coach: Wally Buono

Calgary Stampeders 89th Grey Cup Champions 1 Marcus Crandell 3 Kelly Malveaux 7 Ben Sankey 8 Kamau Peterson 9 Aldi Henry 12 Greg Frers 13 Mark McLoughlin 21 Scott Regimbald 26 Ricky Bell 32 Kelvin Anderson 35 Otis Floyd 39 Willie Fells 50 Jay McNeil 51 Alondra Johnson 53 James Cotton 58 Anwar Stewart 64 Jeff Pilon 67 Jamie Crysdale 68 Fred Childress 76 Joe Fleming 83 Travis Moore 86 Aubrey Cummings 88 Vince Danielsen 89 Marc Boerigter Head Coach: Wally Buono

BC Lions 94th Grey Cup Champions 2 Ian Smart 3 Ryan Thelwell 4 Paul McCallum 6 Javier Glatt 7 Jarious Jackson 8 Bret Anderson 9 Barron Miles 10 Emanuel Sanchez 11 Jason Pottinger 12 Dave Dickenson 14 Rob Pikula 16 Buck Pierce 17 Sebastian Clovis 19 Paris Jackson 21 Ryan Phillips 23 Mark Washington 24 Korey Banks 26 Carl Kidd 27 Lavar Glover 28 Lyle Green 29 Brandon Payne 31 Dante Marsh 33 Joe Smith 35 Otis Floyd 37 Alexis Bwenge 39 Jamall Johnson 41 Lionell Green 42 Markeith Knowlton 51 Tyson Craiggs 54 Dean Valli 55 Sherko Haji-Rasouli 56 Rob Murphy 59 Kelly Bates 60 Jason Jimenez 62 Bobby Singh 63 Amariah Farrow 64 Angus Reid 69 Lorne Plante 81 Geroy Simon 82 Jason Clermont 83 Gilles Colon 85 Kendrick Jones 86 Mike Lindstrom 88 Tony Simmons 90 Aaron Hunt 91 Nautyn McKay-Loescher 93 Matt Kirk 95 Ricky Foley 96 Tyrone Williams 97 Brent Johnson 98 Whitney Bell 99 Chris Wilson Head coach: Wally Buono Assistant coaches: Jacques Chapdelaine Dave Ritchie Mike Benevides Jamie Barresi Dan Dorazio Steff Kruck Mike Roach

BC Lions 99th Grey Cup Champions 1 Arland Bruce III 2 Davis Sanchez 3 Cauchy Muamba 4 Paul McCallum 6 Stanley Franks 7 Jarious Jackson 8 Ryan Thelwell 9 Keron Williams 10 Kierrie Johnson 11 Tad Kornegay 13 Mike Reilly 14 Travis Lulay (MVP) 19 Paris Jackson 20 Jerome Dennis 21 Ryan Phillips 23 Jamall Lee 24 Korey Banks 25 Jamal Robertson 26 Anthony Reddick 27 J.R. LaRose 28 J. R. Ruffin 31 Dante Marsh 33 Andrew Harris (MVC) 35 Tim Brown 36 Neil McKinlay 40 Tim Cronk 41 Hamid Mahmoudi 42 Anton McKenzie 44 Adam Leonard 45 Jason Arakgi 46 Rolly Lumbala 47 James Yurichuk 50 Adam Bighill 51 Joash Gesse 53 Jesse Newman 54 Dean Valli 55 Dan McCullough 56 Solomon Elimimian 57 Andrew Jones 63 Jovan Olafioye 64 Angus Reid 65 Ben Archibald 67 Jon Hameister-Ries 79 Eric Taylor 81 Geroy Simon 83 Nick Moore 85 Shawn Gore 87 Marco Iannuzzi 88 Akeem Foster 90 Aaron Hunt 94 Khreem Smith 96 Khalif Mitchell 97 Brent Johnson Head coach: Wally Buono Assistant coaches: Jacques Chapdelaine Mike Benevides Kelly Bates Dan Dorazio Chuck McMann Randy Melvin Barron Miles Travis Moore Mark Washington

Annis Stukus Trophy- CFL Coach of the Year 1961: Trimble 1962: Owen 1963: Skrien 1964: Sazio 1965: Grant 1966: Clair 1967: Williams 1968: Keys 1969: Clair 1970: Jauch 1971: Cahill 1972: Gotta 1973: Gotta 1974: Levy 1975: Brancato 1976: Shaw 1977: Rapp 1978: Gotta 1979: Campbell 1980: Jauch 1981: Faragalli 1982: O'Billovich 1983: Murphy 1984: Murphy 1985: Matthews 1986: Bruno 1987: O'Billovich 1988: Riley 1989: Gregory 1990: Riley 1991: Rita 1992: Buono 1993: Buono 1994: Matthews 1995: Matthews 1996: Lancaster 1997: Matthews 1998: Lancaster 1999: Taaffe 2000: Taaffe 2001: Ritchie 2002: Matthews 2003: Higgins 2004: Marshall 2005: Higgins 2006: Buono 2007: Austin 2008: Hufnagel 2009: Trestman 2010: Barker 2011: Buono 2012: Milanovich 2013: Chamblin 2014: Hufnagel