While growing up in Dallas, Maley played football during his time at Woodrow Wilson High School.
[1] His high school football coach, Wade Thompson, described Maley as "a quiet boy.
[4] His college career was interrupted by World War II, during which he spent time in the Marine Corps.
He later returned to SMU and during his senior year, he was the leading punter in college football.
[2] At the time, it was the most punting yards recorded in a single NFL season, until Pat Brady surpassed the mark in 1953.