VANCOUVER - The B.C. Lions signed head coach/GM Wally Buono to a contract extension to 2018 on Wednesday.

Buono, who gave up coaching duties following B.C.'s Grey Cup win in 2011, will return to the club's sidelines this season.

"My sincere thanks go out to David (owner David Braley) and Dennis (CEO Dennis Skulsky) for the confidence they have shown with this extension," said Buono. "We have a big job ahead of us, but with the coaches, football operations staff and players we are assembling I believe we will put a product on the field that our fans will want to support."

Buono is the CFL's all-time leader in coaching wins with 254 (101 with B.C.) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He joined the Lions in 2003 and has led the franchise to nine playoff appearances, six Western final berths, an Eastern final berth, three Grey Cup appearances and two victories (2006, 2011).