Anton 'Andy' Pilney, 83, Former Tulane Coach, Dies
Times Picayune 09-17-1996

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All-America halfback at Notre Dame Anton "Andy" Pilney, a former Tulane
University football coach and Jefferson Parish councilman, died Sunday at
Chateau Living Center in Kenner. He was 83.

Mr. Pilney, an All-America halfback at Notre Dame University, came to New
Orleans in 1946 as an assistant coach for the Green Wave before taking the
helm in 1954. He retired in 1961.

Although the team lost more games than it won during his tenure, Mr. Pilney
could look back on stirring upset victories over Auburn in 1955, Ole Miss in
1956 and Navy in the 1958 Oyster Bowl.

He once wrote, "I think sports are important not just because I make my living
from teaching football. . . . Sports can improve (man's) whole approach to
life and make him operate better mentally, too."

After he retired from coaching, Mr. Pilney turned his attention to politics,
running for the 4th District Jefferson Parish Council seat in 1963. He pledged
to improve Jefferson's recreational facilities by adding playgrounds, parks
and libraries.

During his 12 years on the council, he was credited with helping to pave 110
miles of parish roads and building an east bank hospital and Lafreniere Park.

Born in Frontenac, Kan., Mr. Pilney was a 1936 graduate of Notre Dame, where
he played baseball in addition to football. From 1936 to 1941, he played
professional baseball during the summer.

He was assistant football coach at Washington University in St. Louis in 1942-
43, after which he served in the Navy until taking the job at Tulane.

Mr. Pilney was a member of Metairie Country Club, American Legion Post No.
175, the Notre Dame Club and the Monogram Club of Notre Dame.

He was a former salesman for Lafarge Concrete Co.

Survivors include his wife, Florence Rokos Pilney; a son, Dennis Andrew
Pilney; a daughter, Andrea Pilney Peebles; a sister, Rose Oliphant; five
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A Mass will be said Thursday at 11 a.m. at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747
Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 10
p.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Cemetery.