B.C. Lions head coach Wally Buono shouts to get the attention of an official during second half CFL football action against the Edmonton Eskimos, in Vancouver on Thursday, August 9, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
I went into the visiting team’s coaching room to console my old friend Wally Buono, whose Lions had just lost to Calgary 27-18, their fourth defeat in five games. The winningest coach of all-time was staring sadly at the floor but when he saw me he broke into a big smile and came over to shake my hand.
I said, “I know you’re not interested in moral victories but your guys played them tougher than anyone else has.”
“You don’t get anything for moral victories,” he agreed. I asked about his health (it’s fine) and observed “It’s been a tough year for you.”
“It’s going to get a lot tougher if we don’t start winning,” Buono answered.
It wasn’t going to get any easier, next up hosting the Edmonton Eskimos who beat them 41-22 in June. To make matters worse, they would have only two days to prepare. But, lo and behold, after trailing the visitors 20-10 at the half, they outscored the opposition 21-3 the rest of the way to win 31-23. They are tied with Saskatchewan at 3-4 and in fourth place.
It hasn’t been easy. Last year the Lions started off 7-2 but then lost six of their last seven games to finish 7-11, last in the West Division. Owner David Braley brought in former Eskimos Ed Hervey as GM and Rick LeLacheur as president ostensibly to help Buono turn things around. They took away all his authority, leaving him free to concentrate solely on coaching.
At first glance, the Lions seemed a team on the verge of success, with middling stats on offence and defence, but, as Buono said, “While the nucleus here was good, we didn’t win a close game.” He felt they needed to be physically and mentally tougher. They brought in the likes of linebacker Otha Foster, defensive end Odell Willis and defensive backs Winston Rose and Anthony Orange. Joel Figueroa and Jovan Olafioye solidified the line. A couple of weeks ago, Hervey acquired defensive end Shawn Lemon from Toronto. He plays like he has a perpetual thorn in his paw. When Edmonton released running back Travon Van, B.C. signed him.
The difference maker has been veteran quarterback Travis Lulay who replaced the struggling Jonathon Jennings three games ago. He is more effective in the red zone and at second down conversions than Jennings. Seemingly in good health, Lulay is a Grey Cup champion and CFL Most Outstanding Player. He is a fiery competitor in the mold of his former teammate Mike Reilly.
They’re not out of the woods yet.
The Lions rank six or seventh in just about every category. The exception is punting where Ty Long leads the league, not surprising considering how much practice he’s been getting. He averaged 53 yards against Edmonton. Chris Rainey is first in kickoff returns and second at running back punts. The other night he had seven punt returns for 135 yards and a touchdown. On the downside, the Leos have the most offside/procedure penalties. The defensive line is the most penalized unit in the league. Dumb penalties were a key factor in their loss in Calgary.
Stamp coach Dave Dickenson was Buono’s quarterback in Calgary and B.C. but the student has only lost to the old master once, his first game as the boss in 2016 and never at McMahon.
B.C.’s offence ranks fourth in red-zone efficiency but eighth defensively. The offence has been so-so, the defence poor and the special teams very good.
They haven’t had an easy schedule but they have split with Winnipeg and Edmonton. They play Toronto Saturday.
Many ask why, at 68 years of age, with no say over personnel, has Wally Buono taken on the difficult task of rebuilding the B.C. Lions? Why doesn’t he ride into the nearby sunset and enjoy his four grandchildren? Seeing Lion president Bob Ackles felled by a heart attack 10 years ago and having experienced one of his own, he doesn’t need the aggravation nor does he have anything to prove given his seven Grey Cup rings and 276 wins. The answer is loyalty. Dave Braley wants to sell the team. He asked Buono to restore its lustre to make it more attractive to a buyer.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 46 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
