Texas Tech University Athletics
Former Administrator John Conley Passes Away
April 16, 2010 | Football
April 16, 2010
John Conley, former Texas Tech football coach and administrator, passed away early Friday morning. He was 86.
A native of Mexia, Texas, and a graduate of Kansas State University, Conley became a Red Raider in 1961 and dedicated the rest of his career to the Red and Black. The three-year KSU football letterwinner was one of the most respected coaches in the country during his tenure at Texas Tech, where he coached the offensive line and tight ends. He joined King's staff in 1961 following successful coaching tenures at Ellinwood (Kan.) High School and Snyder High School. His high school coaching days yielded an 81-33-4 record. When King became director of athletics in 1970, Conley remained on staff as an assistant to Carlen.
Following the 1974 season, King named Conley assistant director of athletics and business manager under Polk Robison, who was athletic administrator of finance and development.
Upon his appointment as director of athletics in 1980, Conley made clear his intentions to make Texas Tech a competitor and winner in the Southwest Conference.
"I think we are headed in the right direction," Conley said the day he was hired. "I don't like that term `being able to compete with.' I like to win, and that's what we are striving for."
Conley got to work immediately on the program's athletics facilities, making improvements to the Coliseum, baseball field and track. Additionally, Conley and his influence were credited with playing a major role in the building of the ticket office and letterman's lounge in the north end zone and the renovation of offices in the south end zone. He also oversaw upgrades to the stadium itself.
When Conley retired as director of athletics in 1985, then-university president Lauro F. Cavazos thanked Conley for his "devoted service" of 24 years to Texas Tech University. That service spanned 14 years as an assistant football coach under legendary coaches J T King and Jim Carlen, five years as an assistant director of athletics under King, then five years as director of athletics.
In the years following his retirement, Conley remained close to the program, and often made himself visible around the athletic offices. Cavazos once said, "John Conley has tried diligently in all of his years at Texas Tech to adhere closely to the highest standards of collegiate athletics. The university has every reason to be grateful, not only for his long service, but for the quality of that service."
From the high school and college sidelines to the highest rank in the Tech athletics department, Conley exemplified Cavazos' comments - not only for 24 years, but until early Friday morning.
