Lovett mourns legendary football coach Bill Conley

Legendary  football coach Bill Conley, who led the Lions to a state championship in 1970, died Saturday at his home in Jasper, Ga., according to the school’s Web page.

Revered at the Buckhead school for building and administering its strong athletics program, he also coached softball and served as the chair of the Art Department and as upper school assistant principal.

"Coach Conley did more than just coach," said Lovett alumnus and parent Carter Pope in the school’s announcement. "He shaped people's lives. He commanded respect, and you gave it, no questions asked. We were fortunate to have him."

His 1970 state championship team, with no player more than 190 pounds, outscored opponents 410-32 and won the state championship at home by leading 14-0 in the first quarter en route to a 14-6 victory, according to the 2008 Lovett football program, which was dedicated to him. Leading the football program from 1963 to 1976, he compiled a 96-45-5 record. See the accompanying PDFs for the program dedication message, tributes to Conley, and his year-by-year record.

His 1964 team, dubbed the “Mighty Mites” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, compiled an 11-3 record as both region and North Georgia champions. The 1968 Lions were 9-1 and ranked in the top 10, with its sophomore class laying the foundation for the state championship year.

The Conley Family will host a memorial service in tribute for Conley in Lovett's Alston Memorial Chapel on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m.. This service will be followed by a reception.

The family has set up a memorial page on Facebook, with information, reminisces, and photos:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Conley-Memorial-Page/208449542536990