Buono’s Boys Clean Out Lockers

This Sunday, November 23, 2008, the Calgary Stampeders will be playing the Montreal Allouettes for the Grey Cup. The Stampeders made it to the big game by ousting the BC Lions last week in the Western Final 22-18.

While the Lions dominated the first half, the Stampeders endured and will, therefore, get to represent the Western Conference this weekend in Montreal.

What I find baffling however, is some fans calling for head coach/general manager Wally Buono’s head on a platter after falling short of the Grey Cup again.

I personally cannot believe that there are people out there that would even consider this. The reason why fans are so disappointed that B.C. didn’t reach the Grey Cup is because of the bar set so high by Buono. Since coming to Vancouver, coach Buono has turned the franchise around to a very respectable one.

Buono joined the Lions back in 2003 and since then has led the team to 6 consecutive playoff appearances, four first place finishes, two Grey Cup appearances and a Grey Cup championship in 2006. His track record throughout his entire tenure in the CFL clearly demonstrates that he’s one of the greatest coaches in league history.

Yes, it’s definitely disappointing to see a squad as talented as the 2008 Lions not reach the championship game, but I think most people who follow the game closely would agree that a strong part of the reason they are such strong contenders each year has to do with having Buono on the sidelines.

I think the Lions have a lot of reasons to be optimistic for next year. A better regular season finish would have helped. It’s difficult to finish in third place, having to win two road games just to reach the Grey Cup. In both years under Buono where the Lions reached the Grey Cup, they’d finished first in the conference in the regular season.

It would be a major mistake to let Buono go and I don’t think this will happen. As long as he’s the coach and GM, the Lions should remain competitive and have a good chance at the championship each season.