HeB次元官网网址檚 yet to coach a game for the B.C. Lions, but DeVone Claybrooks isnB次元官网网址檛 worried about having to fill the shoes of legendary head coach Wally Buono.
Buono retired at seasonB次元官网网址檚 end, culminating an illustrious 46-year tenure as a CFL player, coach and executive. Buono, 68, won seven Grey Cups (two as a player, record-tying five as a head coach), four coach-of-the-year honours, 13 West Division titles and the most games (282) in league history.
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Enter Claybrooks, a six-foot-three, 300-pound former defensive lineman who earned a Super Bowl ring as a player with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in B次元官网网址�02 and two Grey Cups (2014, B次元官网网址�18) as a coach with the Calgary Stampeders.
B次元官网网址淚t (replacing Buono) has got to be in my head considering I get asked about it every five minutes,B次元官网网址� Claybrooks said with a chuckle from Mont Tremblant, Que., where CFL GMs, presidents and coaches are meeting this week. B次元官网网址淭he funny thing is everyone asks me, B次元官网网址楬ow are you going to fill WallyB次元官网网址檚 shoes?B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 like, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 not. Wally wears a 10 1/2 or 11 and I wear a 14.B次元官网网址� At the end of the day he had his journey and steered his car the way he wanted to. IB次元官网网址檓 driving this car now. I just got an oil change and tuneup and he gave me the keys. IB次元官网网址檓 going to drive it in the direction I see fit.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 not to say Claybrooks wonB次元官网网址檛 have BuonoB次元官网网址檚 number on speed dial.
B次元官网网址淭he best part about it is I do have him to lean on if I have questions,B次元官网网址� Claybrooks said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a great man, a great counsellor, a great mentor.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been very helpful and open. I canB次元官网网址檛 ask for more.B次元官网网址�
Claybrooks, 41, didnB次元官网网址檛 really celebrate CalgaryB次元官网网址檚 27-16 Grey Cup win over Ottawa on Nov. 25 in Edmonton. Shortly afterwards, the StampedersB次元官网网址� defensive co-ordinator interviewed with both Toronto and B.C. before being named Lions head coach Dec. 11.
B次元官网网址淢y mom was like, B次元官网网址楤aby, youB次元官网网址檝e got to enjoy this for a day or two,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Claybrooks said. B次元官网网址淲e had a few drinks and went out for a nice dinner but I think if you get caught looking at the last one youB次元官网网址檙e not going to win the next one.B次元官网网址�
Claybrooks spent seven seasons in Calgary, the last three as defensive co-ordinator. The Stampeders (CFL-best 13-5 record in 2018) have boasted the leagueB次元官网网址檚 top defence during ClaybrooksB次元官网网址� tenure, last year finishing first in 10 of the leagueB次元官网网址檚 20 defensive categories.
B.C. (9-9) finished fourth in the West Division before losing 48-8 to Hamilton in the East Division semifinal. The LionsB次元官网网址� defence finished tied for the CFL lead in interceptions (21) and sacks (45) and was ranked second against the pass (247.2 yards per game) but was seventh in points (26.3) and rushing yards (113.8) allowed.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
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