Courtesy CFL.ca:

The B.C. Lions announced on Monday that general manager and head coach Wally Buono has extended his contract with the organization.

Buono had been entering the final year of his contract which brought the now second all-time winningest coach in CFL history out west in 2003.

“Wally’s accomplishments over the past 30 years as a player, coach and GM speak for themselves,” said Lions president and CEO Bob Ackles. “His coaching style, his dedication to excellence and his ability to get the very best from everyone in the organization make him highly respected across the CFL and I am excited about what the future holds with Wally leading the way.”

Buono enters his sixth season with the Leos after leading the club to five consecutive playoff appearances, including four first-place regular season finishes and a Grey Cup championship in 2006.

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Courtesy Vancouver Province:

The Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions have signed import offensive lineman Clint Stickdorn.

Stickdorn, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in May 2005. After spending training camp with the Browns and his subsequent release, Stickdorn was signed by the Indianapolis Colts and spent the first half of the 2005 season on the practice roster before moving on to the Detroit Lions.

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Courtesy CFL.ca:

The B.C. Lions announced on Wednesday that Ian Smart, the CFL’s reigning Outstanding Special Teams Player, has agreed to terms on a contract extension with the team. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Ian was a big part of our success on special teams last year and he has developed into a legitimate threat to score each time he has the ball,” said Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono. “Our fans have a lot to be excited about with Ian on the field.”

Smart originally joined the Lions in July of 2006 eventually making his debut in Week 12 that season. As the 2006 season closed out and the Lions began their championship run, Smart’s play elevated as the speedy running back averaged 27 yards per kickoff return in the post-season and scored the Lions’ lone touchdown in the club’s Grey Cup victory over Montreal.

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Courtesy Vancouver Province:

B.C. Lions president and CEO Bob Ackles said Thursday that it’s too early to tell what kind of short-term impact the replacement of the B.C. Place Stadium roof might have on his club, but the announcement is welcomed.

“Any improvements they make are going to have a positive effect on the B.C. Lions,” he said. “There will likely be some inconveniences, but it’s going to be a really positive thing.”

Crown corporation PavCo, which operates B.C. Place, has confirmed that a new roof will be among several upgrades to the 25-year-old, 60,000-seat stadium, and that it will be in place for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

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Courtesy Vancouver Province:

It was easy for Aaron Hunt to ask his older brother for money as a kid.

Growing up in Denison, Tex., Reggie Hunt’s first job was as a paper boy, but his younger sibling said he needed occasional help.

“He didn’t do his route so well, so if I asked him for money I expected it because I helped him,” Aaron Hunt said with a chuckle, recalling days long before he went on to find a starting tackle spot on the defensive line of the B.C. Lions and his brother became an established linebacker with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

They were days worth remembering, because in an odd way Aaron Hunt could be put in a position where he is taking money from his brother again.

The league’s free-agent signing period formally starts Friday and Saskatchewan’s Hunt, a two-time divisional all-star, will be atop the wish lists of several teams.

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Courtesy Vancouver Province:

Wally Buono couldn’t have planned it better. No sooner had the Lions coach mapped out changes to his offensive coaching staff than he was able to agree to terms with quarterback Jarious Jackson on a new contract.

Though Buono played coy Thursday, the agreement was confirmed with an announcement set for Tuesday. CKNW reported Jackson will average close to $200,000 on a multi-year deal similar to the one signed in 2006 by Buck Pierce. That contract will enable Pierce to renegotiate terms if he becomes the starter this season. Jackson’s deal, it was confirmed, has the same language.

“Everything is pointing to an announcement next week,” Buono said. Jackson was travelling and couldn’t be reached for comment

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Courtesy Vancouver Province:

Do the math. Two heads are not better than one. One head, however, is better than four.

That was the logic applied Thursday by Lions coach Wally Buono as he introduced his coaching staff for the 2008 CFL season, a lineup that didn’t deviate from his original plan as reported in The Province in December (see chart).

Nonetheless, he did achieve what amounts to a total remake while retaining the overall structure, and nowhere was his intent to streamline more apparent than on offence.

Dan Dorazio will be the lone offensive co-ordinator this season. Steff Kruck, who shared the job last year, will go back to work as quarterbacks coach and Jacques Chapdelaine, named receivers coach, will be responsible for play-calling.

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