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It was billed as "media conference mayhem," perhaps the worst description ever for something involving B.C. Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono, the straight-arrow family man who could teach Stephen Harper a thing or two about conservatism.

Don Matthews of the Toronto Argonauts, on the other hand, now there's a guy who knows mayhem. At least he did in his younger days as a rebel, playboy and on-the-edge coach who lived in the fast lane — rock 'n' roll haircut and all.

Friday, for perhaps the final time, these two giants of the CFL sat side-by-side on a stage at B.C. Place Stadium, trading backslaps and memories during a press conference so rich with material it could have lasted until kickoff Saturday night. Between them, there are 457 regular-season victories, 16 Grey Cup rings and deep respect.

"I've talked openly about Wally being my favourite coach in the league," Matthews said, predicting Buono would not only surpass his CFL record of 231 wins, but that the new mark would never be surpassed. "If I owned a team, Wally would be the coach I'd want to hire."

The bald Matthews, 69, wore a long Argonauts shirt, untucked, with the tan slacks and white tennis shoes that scream "football coach." The silver-haired Buono, 58, also wore a team shirt, but his was tucked neatly into his trademark black shorts, fastened by a black belt and co-ordinated with black shoes.

As Matthews would say when asked about their differences, he is more "loosey-goosey" than Buono, more likely to use foul language, fraternize with players and, as a serial groom, more likely to go home with the pretty young cheerleader.

"He's a little bit better guy than I am," the coach known as The Don admitted.

"He has had more of a risqué life than I have," Buono said.

Their paths first crossed in Idaho. Matthews was an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Idaho, whereas Buono was a linebacker and punter with Idaho State.

Matthews tried to hire Buono when the latter was an assistant with the Calgary Stampeders. But Buono is a pragmatist and a builder who lays down roots, and he was waiting for the top job in Calgary. Matthews, conversely, is the coaching nomad, now on his third tour with the Argos and, until this recent return, the CFL's all-time quick-fix artist.

Yesterday, Matthews said there were no guarantees he would return next year, and there are also no guarantees Argos ownership wants him back. He has lost all six games at the Argos helm since replacing the fired Rich Stubler.

This season, Buono tied Matthews's mark of 18 postseason appearances as a head coach, and if the Lions make it to the Grey Cup this season, Buono will tie Matthews for most appearances (11) in the championship game, if not victories (five), which Matthews and three others share.

In the regular season, Buono is five wins shy of Matthews's record for coaching victories.