Wally Buono enters his 10th season as Lions general manager and first in his newly appointed role as VP, football operations. Over the previous nine seasons as the club’s head coach, Buono led the Lions to nine playoff appearances; six appearances in the Western Final and a crossover visit to the East Final as well as two Grey Cup Championships in 2006 and 2011. Wally stepped down as Lions head coach in December, 2011 following the Lions Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

In a coaching career that spanned 22 years, 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 recognized with the CFL’s Coach of the Year award in 2006, 1992 and 1993.  

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 of the Stamps.

In addition to his accomplishments as a coach and administrator, Wally is a noted contributor to the community and was recognized for his work with the Paul Harris award in 2001.  Wally continues to donate a significant amount of time as an ambassador of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and as a spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Among his charitable efforts, Wally is actively involved with Operation Christmas Child, giving presents of clothing and toys to children of impoverished nations. Following the passing of his good friend and former teammate Tony Proudfoot in 2010, Wally lends his support to the ALS Society of BC’s WALK for ALS.

Wally and his wife Sande have four children, Amy, Dayna, Christie and Michael and three grandchildren, Jonah, Lucas and Jack.