The 2009 tour to South Africa was McGeechan's seventh with the Lions as player and coach and his side gave the world champion Springboks a rough ride in the Test series before going down 2-1.
It was his fifth tour as coach, and his third as head coach, and he also took part in the all-conquering 1974 tour to South Africa as a player and the 1977 trip to New Zealand.
Typically, the 63-year-old Scot, who played for and coached Scotland, steering them to the 1990 Grand Slam, dedicated his award to someone other than himself.
"This honour couldn't have been achieved without the backing of my wife, Judy, and my children Heather and Rob. It is their constant support that has provided such an inspiration to me and this honour would not have been possible without them," he said.
"I am very proud of my family and I want to dedicate this honour to them. Rugby has been a huge part of my life for over 40 years and to have achieved everything I have with Scotland, in club rugby and with the Lions has been an immensely rewarding and enjoyable experience.
"At the moment I am enjoying a rest from coaching and enjoying more time with my family, but my passion for rugby and for sporting excellence remains undimmed.'"
As well as a glittering international career as both player and coach, McGeechan was a huge success on the club front, guiding London Wasps to Premiership and Heineken Cup glory.
