Born in San Francisco, Malley graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 1949.
After graduating from Santa Clara, Malley served in the 4th Armored Division of the United States Army.
[2] Resurrecting the football program after a seven-year hiatus, the University of Santa Clara hired Malley as head coach in 1959.
[7] Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News credited Malley with a revival of football at Santa Clara after the school relegated its team to the Division II level.
[9] The Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center opened on the Santa Clara campus in 1999 was named in his honor.