Good Golly, Coach Wally!

Wally Buono, forever (at least for now) referred to as "the winningest coach in CFL history," has announced his retirement as head coach of the BC Lions. He will still be around, however, as general manager of the team and vice-president, football operations, and he may turn up to accept the Annis Stukus Trophy for a fourth time as Coach of the Year.

The odds favor Mike Benevides, longtime Lions defensive coordinator, as Buono's successor (although Jacques Chapdelaine, the offensive coordinator, may be saying, "What am I, chopped liver?") and a long shot is ex-Lions QB Dave Dickenson, now offensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders. But Wally may surprise us all again, and appoint an unknown high school coach from Five Flats, Arkansas. 

The real reason Coach Buono is stepping back, some say, is that if he wins many more Grey Cup rings (he has seven--two as a player, five as a coach) he will have to grow more fingers.

Meanwhile, it has not been confirmed that BC Place will have its name changed to Wall-Mart Stadium.

For PD Sports, Slap Maxwell reporting.