Yahoo Sports 
Wally Buono wins Annis Stukus Trophy, gets emotional about leaving coaching
The CFL's Coach of the Year award has a few quirks. For one thing, unlike most leagues' coaching awards, it's voted on after the playoffs, and for another, it can be presented to people who are no longer in a coaching role. That was the case with this year's award, which was given to current B.C. Lions' general manager Wally Buono Friday. Buono gave up his job as head coach to defensive coordinator Mike Benevides earlier this offseason, opting instead to focus on the personnel side. However, while presenting a Coach of the Year award to someone who no longer holds that position can seem a little odd, Buono thoroughly deserves it after pulling off a miraculous turnaround and taking B.C. from an 0-5 start to the Grey Cup. Runner-up candidates Paul LaPolice of Winnipeg and Kavis Reed of Edmonton both did tremendous jobs themselves in 2011, but it looks like the members of the Football Reporters of Canada who voted on this one got it right. This award was a perfect way for Buono to cap off his coaching career, and as you can see from the video clip here, he got a little emotional about leaving it behind.
This was Buono's fourth Annis Stukus Trophy, named after the famed CFL coach and executive, as he had previously won in 1992 and 1993 with Calgary and in 2006 with the Lions. That puts him into some very exclusive company, as only the legendary Don Matthews has won the award five times. Much of the praise for Buono often goes to his work as general manager, and rightfully so; the amount of talent he's acquired over the years is incredible, and what's also impressive is how he always finds a way to replace the many stars that leave. His work as a coach and motivator shouldn't be overlooked, though, and the 2011 campaign clearly proves that he's still capable of inspiring players even when things look dark. As Lowell Ullrich of The Province writes, Buono admitted he would have been fired as coach after the Lions' dismal 0-5 start if he hadn't also held the general manager's job. You can bet the Lions and their fans are awfully glad Buono wasn't ditched, though, and this award demonstrates just what an amazing job he did of turning things around.
Being just the general manager is going to be an adjustment for Buono, but Ullrich writes that he plans to take a cue from legendary Lions' executive Bob Ackles, who was the team president from 2002 until his death in 2008. Buono said Ackles always understood how to effectively lead the franchise without micromanaging, and he hopes to follow suit.
"Bob did it the right way," Buono said. "He was always around, but he was never visible. Bob would always listen to the press conferences because your job is to evaluate all aspects of football operations. Bob and I used to talk about the fact he might have to fire me someday. As such, even though we were good friends, we both understood that was part of our responsibilities."
Buono told Ullrich that he's already missing coaching a bit and he expects that to intensify as training camp approaches, but he's looking forward to his new role instead of focusing on the past.
"I miss playing, but do I want to go back and play? No. Did I sometimes long to be an assistant coach? Think about it. You're actually doing something instead of standing around and you get blamed for everything," Buono said.
"But I wouldn't go back. I don't want to be the visible person. You won't see me the first game. I'll find a little hole somewhere and start the process of viewing things from a distance. We just better win the first one."
The man may be leaving coaching on top, but as you can see from those quotes, he's certainly not checking out from the Lions. Buono may not be the most visible part of the team any more, but he'll still be working away behind the scenes. Given his record of accomplishments, that's something B.C. fans should be very happy about.
