Paul Hoogkamp, TSN ... Some excerpts ...
The question is being asked.
Downhill spiral.Three years ago, the B.C. Lions finished first in the West with a record of 14-3-1. Two years ago, they fell to third place with 11 wins and 7 losses. Last year, the Lions finished last in the West with an 8-10 mark, the worst record since Wally Buono arrived in Vancouver seven years ago.
''Wally is the general manager and head coach,'' Braley told The Canadian Press last week. ''He's going to stay in the position and he has my complete backing and trust.''
Braley expresses support. His decision is the only one that determines Buono's status. However the individual decisions of the fans are the ultimate arbiters. They pay the freight. They determine the bottom line in the business.
In a poll on TSN.ca, fans were almost split between having Buono fired as head coach and trusting him to turn things around.
Ah yes. It is the players' fault. If they would just execute better. They have done it in the past. But not this year. Perhaps it is like the frog in the pot. The water slowly heats. You don't notice the change. Damage is gradual, until it is too late. You are cooked.For his part, Buono thinks the problem is on the field, not on the sideline.
''There is no need to make changes in the coaching staff. There is nothing wrong with what we are doing,'' Buono said this past week. ''What's wrong with what we are doing is the player's inability to execute what we are doing.''
Stegall deserves some credence.So how much of the blame should go toward the head coach? CFL on TSN analyst Milt Stegall thinks Buono deserves some heat because he holds down the two most important football positions in the organization.
''I don't think he's in trouble but he should be,'' said Stegall on TSN.ca's CFL Roundtable. ''Each year since 2008, they've regressed and what happens next year if they win five or six games? He's the GM, he's the head coach, he makes all the decisions so everything is on him. He should be in some type of trouble.''
Dunigan deserves some credence.CFL on TSN analyst Matt Dunigan agrees with Stegall but wonders who could possibly fill Buono's shoes. Remember, it's always tough to follow a legend and Buono is certainly that.
''What's the alternative? Are you going to find somebody better than Wally Buono?'' said Dunigan. ''Maybe he loses one of his titles and they bring in another head coach. But where do you beat 236 wins?''
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My opinion? The win/loss record is the simplest way to make a judgment. We'll see by the end of the year, or sooner, if Buono can turn it around.
One thing, though ... Does anyone think Wally can ever get his team back to winning 13 or 14 games a year? Against Hufnagel, Trestman and Miller, who look like they have their franchises on solid ground for years to come?
