Wally Buono facts for kids
.jpg)
Buono in 2009
|
|
| Born: | February 7, 1950 Potenza, Italy |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | General manager Head coach |
| College | Idaho State University |
| Career history | |
| As administrator | |
| 1992–2002 | Calgary Stampeders (GM) |
| 2003–2017 | BC Lions (GM) |
| As coach | |
| 1982 | Montreal Junior Concordes (Coach) |
| 1983–1985 | Montreal Concordes (AC) |
| 1986 | Montreal Alouettes (AC) |
| 1987–1989 | Calgary Stampeders (AC) |
| 1990–2002 | Calgary Stampeders (HC) |
| 2003–2011, 2016–2018 | BC Lions (HC) |
| As player | |
| 1972–1981 | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Awards | 4× Annis Stukus Trophy (1992, 1993, 2006, 2011) |
| Honours | 7× Grey Cup champion As player: 1974, 1977 As coach: 1992, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2011 |
| Records | Most regular-season wins by a head coach (282) Most first-place finishes by a head coach (13) Most Grey Cup wins by a head coach (5) |
| Career stats | |
|
|
Wally Buono (born February 7, 1950) is a famous Canadian football coach and manager. He is known as one of the most successful head coaches in the history of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Wally spent 22 years as a head coach for the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions.
On September 19, 2009, Wally became the CFL's all-time winningest coach. He retired in 2011 with a record 254 regular-season wins. In 2016, he returned to coach the Lions until 2018. He was honored with the Bob Ackles Award when he retired.
Before coaching, Wally played as a linebacker and punter for 10 seasons. He played for the Montreal Alouettes from 1972 to 1981. During his playing career, he appeared in 152 games and won two Grey Cup championships. As a coach, he led his teams to five Grey Cup victories. He also won the Annis Stukus Trophy (CFL's Coach of the Year) four times.
Contents
Early Life and Playing Career
Wally Buono was born in Potenza, Italy, in 1950. He moved to Canada with his family in 1953. He became interested in football by playing pickup games in Montréal-Nord, Quebec. A CFL player named Al Phaneuf encouraged him to join a youth football team. Soon after, Wally started playing minor football in Montreal, Quebec.
Wally went to Idaho State University and played as a linebacker for the ISU Bengals. After college, he played 10 seasons for the Montreal Alouettes. He was a linebacker and punter. He played in 152 games without missing any. He played in five Grey Cup games and won two of them in 1994 and 1977.
Coaching Journey
After retiring as a player, Wally Buono started his coaching career.
Early Coaching Roles
- In 1982, he coached the Montreal Junior Concordes.
- From 1983 to 1985, he was an assistant coach for the Montreal Concordes.
- In 1986, he was an assistant coach for the Montreal Alouettes.
- From 1987 to 1989, Wally was an assistant coach for the Calgary Stampeders.
Leading the Calgary Stampeders
In 1990, Wally Buono became the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders. He also became the General Manager in 1992.
- First Grey Cup Win: In 1992, Calgary won the 80th Grey Cup, their first since 1971. Wally was named CFL Coach of the Year for the first time.
- Strong Seasons: Under Wally, Calgary had many successful seasons. They often finished first in their division.
- More Grey Cups: He led the Stampeders to two more Grey Cup wins in 1998 and 2001.
- Overall Record: In 13 seasons with Calgary, Wally had 153 regular-season wins. This was the most wins for a CFL Head Coach with one team at that time. His teams made the playoffs for 12 years in a row. They played in 6 Grey Cup games, winning 3 of them.
Leading the BC Lions
Wally Buono became the head coach and general manager for the BC Lions in 2003.
- Early Success: In his first five years (2003–2007), the Lions had a great record. They made the playoffs every year and finished first in their division four times.
- Grey Cup Wins: He led the Lions to a Grey Cup victory in 2006. In 2011, his team won the 99th Grey Cup at home in BC Place Stadium.
- Retirement and Return: In 2011, he stepped down as head coach to focus on being the general manager. In 2014, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He returned to coach the Lions for the 2016 season and coached until 2018.
- Lions' Winningest Coach: With 129 wins, Wally is the coach with the most wins in Lions history. He is one of the few coaches to be the all-time winningest coach for two different CFL teams.
Coaching Style
Wally Buono used a special offensive system throughout his coaching career. This system often used five or six receivers in plays. He also believed it was important for backup quarterbacks to get enough practice time to improve.
Many successful quarterbacks played under Wally Buono, including Danny Barrett, Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson, and Travis Lulay.
Wally Buono Award
The Wally Buono Award was created in 2003. It recognizes Canada's best junior football player. The award is given to players who show great athletic skill and leadership. They must also be leaders in their communities.
- 2014 – LB Dylan Chapdelaine
- 2013 – QB Asher Hastings
- 2012 – QB Jordan Yantz
- 2011 – SB Michael Schaper
- 2010 – DL Kleevens Jean-Louis
- 2009 – RB Andrew Harris
- 2008 – WR Cassidy Doneff
- 2007 – RB Tristan Jones
- 2006 – QB Nate Friesen
- 2005 – RB Jeff Halvorson
- 2004 – RB Chris Ciezki
- 2003 – RB Alan Giacalone
Images for kids
-
Wally Buono in 2009
