Pat Malley

Who was Pat Malley?

George Patrick "Pat" Malley was an American college football coach. He served as the Santa Clara University head coach from 1959 until his death in 1985.

Malley attended Santa Clara University, where he played on the football team, including on the 1950 Orange Bowl championship squad. He returned to his alma mater and became head coach for the 1959 season. Malley amassed a 141–100–4 record with only five losing seasons.

Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury-News credited Malley with a revival of football at Santa Clara after the school relegated its team to the Division II level. Purdy wrote, "Malley was the grandfather or uncle who looked after everyone. The men who played for him still talk of him today in reverent tones."

Malley died of cancer on May 18, 1985. The Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center opened on the Santa Clara campus in 1999 was named in his honor. His father, George L. Malley, played football at Santa Clara and coached the University of San Francisco football team. His son, Terry Malley, succeeded him as Santa Clara head coach.