BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Long since inducted into local Halls of Fame, Jim McNally will now be recognized in Canton.
McNally, the Kenmore West High School and University at Buffalo alumnus who served 43 seasons as an NFL offensive line coach, is one of three recipients of this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame's Awards of Excellence.
Former Buffalo Bills running backs coach Elijah Pitts and longtime Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Dick Hoak also will be honored at a cocktail dinner and awards luncheon June 25-26.
The Awards of Excellence, established by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022, recognize significant contributors to the game in behind the scenes roles. In addition to assistant coaches, the program honors athletic trainers, equipment managers, video directors, and public relations personnel.
"Mouse" McNally was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and UB's athletics Hall of Fame in 1982.
Establishing his prominence for offensive line guru in helping the Cincinnati Bengals reach two Super Bowls and coaching Hall of Fame lineman Anthony Munoz for the duration of his Hall of Fame career, McNally also was an assistant coach for the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. After retiring from the Bills in 2007, he worked as a consultant for the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and the Bengals.
Starting his coaching career with the Bulls after graduating from UB in 1966, McNally went on to coach at Marshall, Boston College and Wake Forest. At age 81, McNally is currently a special assistant to UB head coach Pete Lembo.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
