Cementing a legacy.
The Stampeders will honour Wally Buono on Sunday during their game against the visiting BC Lions when he will officially become the 50th member added to the club’s Wall of Fame at McMahon Stadium.
When Buono was handed the Calgary head-coaching reins by general manager Normie Kwong in 1990, the Stampeders hadn’t been to the Grey Cup or finished first in the West Division since 1971. Under Buono’s leadership, the Red and White finished first seven times, went to the championship game on six occasions and won three titles.
Buono, who added the general manager’s duties to his job description in 1992, coached the Stampeders for a total of 13 years and holds the Calgary franchise records for most games coached (234), most victories (153), most playoff victories (12) and most championships (three).
After leaving Calgary, Buono joined the BC Lions in 2003 and became that franchise’s leader in wins with 162. He became the winningest coach in CFL history on Sept. 19, 2009, as he passed Don Matthews’ previous mark of 231.
Members of the organization, past and present, shared some words on their experiences with the legendary head coach.
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Doug Flutie:
“The number-one thing that stands out, my initial reaction was how professional everything was run in Calgary under Wally.”
“Now we did fall short a couple times in Calgary which was a big disappointment because we had some talented teams. But another part of being a head coach is kind of being that father figure, of always being there when things are rough or when you lose a tough game, and (Wally) was always there.
“I think the world of Wally.”
Micah Awe:
“Coach Wally, he set the tone for a head coach. I was able to learn from him and see how a great head coach (operates) and we’re still close to this day. I hit him up for a lot of advice, he played linebacker. I’m honoured that when I went there and being a linebacker, he’s a linebacker, I felt chosen, because he was not necessarily nice to rookies, but I had to earn my spot.
“I truly believe he’s the reason why I’m successful in the CFL. I don’t feel like I got lucky, I don’t feel like it was handed to me, I feel like I had to really earn that spot and I still feel like that to this day.”
Danny Barrett:
“I can remember the times of playing for Wally, playing against Wally, coaching against Wally and he was always the ultimate competitor. He’s always going to look out for what’s best for the team and for the players, and he was well-respected for that.
“I think that’s why the guys played the way they did. They knew he had their back. He’s always been like that. If you ever had an issue with anything you could always go to his office and close the door. He was more than a coach; he was a father figure to a lot of players that came through there. He gave opportunities to guys who would never have gotten second chances at other places. I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s been able to accomplish throughout his career.
Jay McNeil:
“When you look at the impact he’s had on this organization and taking it from where we were in the middle of a ‘Save Our Stamps’ campaign, and he changed the course of this organization, and it started the success that we’ve been able to enjoy the last 30 years.”
“He really had high expectations for whoever put on the Stampeder jersey, and he held everybody accountable to that. He knew when to let the players hold themselves accountable and when he would have to step in, and he did a great job of surrounding himself with great people and keeping a good core group around for a long time. He’s a mastermind for sure.”
Dave Dickenson:
“Everyone felt grounded with Wally and felt like you knew where you stood. As a league, I think integrity matters, and I think Wally’s always stood for that.
“He kind of became the voice of the league, and I believe if you look back even 10 or 15 years, with Huff back here, those two coming from where they did and working together, they had a sense of the league that the rest of us didn’t because they had been in multiple generations.
“Huff and Wally had a lot to do with how the league was shaped and where the league went.
John Hufnagel:
“He was a leader of men. Not only to the players but also to his staff and what helped him be able to do that was his extensive knowledge of the game.
“Not only did he have great knowledge about the game, but he was also able to help his coaches become better. He didn’t meddle with the coaches. He would have conversations to share his ideas and sometimes they’d stick. Honestly, he had a vision and he made sure everybody shared the same vision.”
“They love Wally for good reason, and they love him over in B.C., too. A man with that much success and all those awards, that many Grey Cup rings, he was just so consistent in what he was able to achieve in both organizations.
“Every compliment, and every nice thing that is said about Wally is so very well-deserved.”
