Wally Goes Out On Top

(From CFL.ca)

Canadian Football League legend Wally Buono capped a storybook ending to his coaching career today when he was named Coach of the Year for 2011.

“It’s fitting that as we prepare to celebrate the 100th Grey Cup, we bestow this honour on a true leader who has long epitomized what is best about our league,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, after presenting Buono with the prestigious Annis Stukus Trophy at luncheon in Toronto.

“Wally Buono’s resume as a head coach ensures he will be remembered alongside the legendary names in CFL history – and 2011 may have been the pinnacle of his storied career.”

Buono’s British Columbia Lions won the 99th Grey Cup game last November at BC Place in Vancouver, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by a score of 34-23.

Not only did the win come on home soil, it completed a remarkable turnaround year for the Lions. Their 0-5 start to the season had some pundits questioning Buono’s coaching, despite the fact he had led teams to four previous Grey Cup victories , had won the league’s Coach of the Year award three times, and had won more regular season games than any other CFL coach in history.

The team responded by winning 11 of their remaining 13 regular season games, capturing first place in the Western Division and a berth in the Grey Cup, courtesy of a 40-23 Western Final victory over the Edmonton Eskimos.

“Wally often tells his players that life is seldom easy, and the greatest rewards are those you have to overcome adversity to achieve,” Cohon said. “The Lions’ success is 2011 is a testament to his philosophy, character and leadership.”

During this off-season, Buono announced his retirement from coaching, although he remains the Lions’ General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations.

He received 45 first place votes in the Coach of the Year balloting conducted among 56 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada, including journalists in every CFL market as well as a national chapter.

The other nominees for the award – Paul LaPolice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Kavis Reed of the Edmonton Eskimos – are part of the breed of new young coaches in the CFL.