Celebrating a Lifetime Tomcat
Herb Conley is an Ashland Icon
Sasha Bush
Ashland Beacon
The man… the myth… the legend! Growing up in the early 1950’s Herb Conley got to witness some of the Tomcats’ most talented football teams in action. One might say that Conley had the pleasure of watching history being made. Little did he know then that he would become part of the Tomcats’ history more so than any other coach in Ashland’s history. His passion for the game of football is what fueled his drive as a coach. Conley dipped his toes into the world of football as a sophomore at Ashland in 1956 and played all three years of high school. He ended his football career with an undefeated season in 1958. Conley also had the pleasure of being an All-State football player, an honor reserved for the best of the best.
The lessons that young Conley learned those three years he took the field himself would stay with him a lifetime and is ultimately what helped to shape the foundations of his coaching career. As a coach, Conley is known for having the uncanny ability to will anyone into becoming the best version of themselves both on and off the field. Conley’s coaching career first began in 1966 when he was hired as an assistant coach for the Ashland Tomcats alongside Jake Hallum. In 1967, Conley along with fellow coaching staff had an amazing run and took home the state championship. It wasn’t until 1968 that Conley joined the Tomcats as the new head coach. Conley held the position of the Tomcats’ head coach from 1968-1976. During that time, Conley helped lead the Ashland Tomcats to the 1973 State Runners-up finish and the Class 4-A State-at-Large Championship in 1975. Conley would go on to inspire Ashland’s youth for many years to come. Conley has been both an educator and administrator for the Ashland Independent School System over the years. The impact that he made within the classroom was equally impressive as his coaching career. Coach Conley is truly a jack of all trades.
Conley’s method of coaching was unmatched by anyone as was his approach to being an educator. With Coach Conley, there was no “monkey business” inside the classroom or on the field. His style of teaching, serving the school in an administration capacity, and style of coaching were all described as strict and unrelenting. To be coached by Conley meant that you were to be coached by greatness. With such a rich and impactful history with the city of Ashland, it’s no wonder Coach Conley has a statue that adorns the entrance of Putnum Stadium. On Sunday, March 12, 2023, the Blazer campus hosted a reception in honor of Coach Conley who will be moving to Lexington to be closer to his family. Hundreds of current and former coaches, ball players, students, friends, and family gathered at the Anderson Gymnasium to pay homage to Mr. Tomcat himself.
Our esteemed Mayor, Matt Perkins was also present and presented Coach Conley with a key to our beloved city. “Coach you have left a lasting legacy that we will always be grateful for. I think of all the wins and championships that you had on the field but to me the greatest impact you had was in the classroom. (Perkins looked toward the crowd and stated) He was an educator, and he busted my butt more than once. (Voices from the crowd started yelling out ‘MINE TOO’… Perkins looked back at Conley.) Coach on behalf of the City Commission, we want you to know that yes you are moving away, but you will always have a way home with a key to our city.”
Coach Conley was truly surprised by Mayor Perkins’ kind words and to have received the key to a city that he loves so much. Conley’s face radiated with joy and surprise as tears began to fill his eyes. Conley shared with us, “I really appreciate everyone doing this for me. I feel like everyone always overdoes these things (celebrations) and that there are a lot of other more deserving people than myself. But, I am really thankful for all that everyone has done to make this happen. I have a lot of great memories of coaching and a few not so good ones.” Conley recalled the time that the team had lost a big game and stated, “I thought they were going run me out of town, but they didn’t and gave me a chance. They treated me better than I deserved. I was fortunate enough to be blessed with some great players, great kids, and a great community. Without those things, I would have never made it and for that I am grateful.”
One thing is for sure and that is Coach, Educator, and Administrator, Herb Conley has truly embodied what it means to be “Ashland’s Icon.” Coach Conley has inspired so many and taught us all that success isn’t about what you can accomplish in life. Success is about what you inspire others to become. Coach Conley will go down in the history books as one of the most prolific and inspiring coaches of all time. The city of Ashland thanks you for all that you have done to help make this area so great and its people couldn’t agree more. Look at just a few of the many people Coach Conley has made an everlasting impact:
“I played a couple of years during my sophomore and junior year on the JAWS team, which was coached by Herb. He really made a man out of us. With the devaluation of men today, it is because of the teaching of Coach Conley that I am the man I am today.”- Dwain Porter
“My fondest memory of being coached by Coach Conley… well that’s easy… the entire time I was here at Ashland. Every practice, every game, every chance I got to be around him. He is just a great person.”– Ray Hicks
“Being coached by Coach Conley was one of the hardest and greatest times in my life. At the time, I didn’t think Marine bootcamp could be as hard as what Coach put us through. But, I would do it all again. Coach Conley was fantastic. He knew how to bring the best out of us. He worked us hard, and it paid off. We won the State Championship in 1967, which was the first ever. I’ve told him before that what you put us through back then would get you thrown in jail in today’s time. It was hard-nosed football, and nobody did it better than him (Coach Conley).”- Smokey Ingram
“He has changed so many lives of people thru the years. He is one of a kind. His leadership was just one of a kind.” -Yancy Ramey
“I remember when he was principal at Putnum, I was in the 7th grade and walked by him and I blurted out his first name. I said, “Herb,” and he just looked at me. Next thing I knew I was out in the hallway getting the paddle. I still feel the sting of that paddle even today, but I still love him. He is just a wonderful person, such a good Christian man.” Donna Suttle
“When I first came into Ashland, Coach Conley really helped me and invited me to be the assistant coach at the middle school. He was so good at what he did. He was fair. He was tough. He was just one of the best.”- Frank Sloan
