Robert "Buff" McCready, the first head coach in Buffalo Bandits history, died Friday, the team announced Monday. McCready was 67.

McCready had been back with the Bandits this past season as an assistant coach, working with the team's goaltenders. Between those stints, he was an assistant coach with the Rochester Knighthawks from 1998 to 2001.

A noted goaltender in his playing days, McCready played in the 1970s incarnation of the National Lacrosse League.

McCready's only MILL/NLL head coaching gig came with Buffalo in 1992, when he skippered the Bandits to losses in the team's first three games.

Ironically, the Bandits immediately reversed their fortunes under new coach Les Bartley, launching a 22-game winning streak which ran for just over two years.

McCready is a member of both the Ontario and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fames.

"In addition to being knowledgeable about the game of lacrosse, Buff McCready was also a genuine and caring individual," Bandits director of lacrosse operations Dave Zygaj said. "He will be missed by our players, as well as the lacrosse community."

McCready's son, Pat, just finished his twelfth professional season, including the past six with the Bandits.