Longtime CFL coach and current GM to present at 2014 Football Canada Coaches Convention

Football Canada is proud to announce the addition of longtime CFL coach and current BC Lions general manager & VP of football operations, Wally Buono to its 2014 National Coaches Convention speaker lineup. The convention takes place on July 11 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the SaskTel Sportscentre / Centennial Collegiate.

Buono will draw on is experience as a CFL player, coach and general manager when he speaks on team preparation.

The convention features presenters from across Canada including Carleton University head coach, Steve Sumarah; Edmonton Huskies (CJFL) head coach, Iain Maclean; University of Alberta head coach, Chris Morris; University of Ottawa head coach, Jamie Barresi; and University of Saskatchewan defensive coordinator, Ed Carleton.

In a coaching career that spanned 22 years in Calgary and BC, Buono led his teams to 13 regular season division titles and five Grey Cup championships. In 2009, Buono surpassed Don Matthews’ 232 victories to become the all-time leader in coaching wins and finished his amazing career with a regular season record of 254 wins, 154 losses and three ties. Wally is also the Lions’ leader in career wins as head coach with 101. His consistency and success were previously recognized with the CFL’s Coach of the Year Award in 2006, 1992 and 1993.

Wally Buono enters his 12th season as Lions general manager and his third as VP, football operations. Wally retired as Lions head coach following the 2011 season, a record-setting run that saw him lead the Lions to nine playoff appearances; six appearances in the Western Final and a crossover visit to the Eastern Final as well as two Grey Cup Championships in 2006 and 2011.

Born in Potenza, Italy, in 1950, Wally moved to Canada in 1953 with his family, later playing minor football in Montreal. He attended Idaho State University and was a linebacker for the Bengals. Wally returned to Canada and played 10 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes as a linebacker and punter, appearing in 152 games. Shortly after his retirement, Wally tried his hand at coaching, landing an assistant position with the Montreal organization in 1983. Four years later, Wally found himself in Calgary where he worked under Larry Kuharich until 1990 when Stamps president Norman Kwong hired him as head coach.