Coach Buono looking to get Lions back to playoffs
Veteran hopes to add one more playoff season to his illustrious record before retiring from the CFL
Wally Buono hopes his final season on the sidelines in the CFL is fitting of his status as the league’s career coaching wins leader.
Last year, the 68-year-old Buono had hoped to deliver a 21st-straight playoff appearance by the Lions, and end a 46-year relationship with the league by heading into retirement. However, the Lions went 1-6 down the stretch, fan discord grew, and owner David Braley decided not to sell the franchise.
Instead, Buono hired former Edmonton Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey to the same position with the Lions. Buono told Braley he will leave after the upcoming season, regardless of whether the owner maintains control.
“I didn’t walk away because David’s my boss, but I also see him as my friend. When a friend asks you to help him, you don’t turn your back on him,” Buono said.
Hervey, fired in Edmonton before the 2017 season, saw many troubling aspects when watching the Lions during his year in exile and made changes to all facets of the operation. B.C. was last in sacks and pressures allowed, and in the bottom third in the league in sacks and pressures made defensively. Quarterback Jonathon Jennings also led the CFL in interceptions. B.C. had trouble on special teams, returning and covering kicks. The result has left the Lions guaranteed to have six
new starters along the line of scrimmage, eight on defence and 13 overall. Another key: Four changes on Buono’s coaching staff. Not all similar extreme makeovers are successful. B.C. had a 5-2 start last season, prompting suggestions a more modest approach would have been ideal. Buono simply hopes to stabilize the franchise in 2018.