Longtime Monessen girls basketball coach Major Corley died Monday of COVID-19 at the age of 73, the school district confirmed.
“Their is a sadness felt all over the district and community today after hearing of the passing of Major Corely,” Monessen superintendent Leanne Spazak said in a statement. “He was a well-respected coach, employee, and mentor to many. Generations of students and parents will remember him simply as “Tuffy”. He was an exemplar role model for all of us. Our prayers go out to his family, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Corley retired from coaching after the 2018 season, ending his second stint with the Monessen girls team. In his 25-year coaching career, Corley won three WPIAL titles, one state title in 2004 and had a 460-189 career record.
Corley also worked as an assistant coach for the Monessen boys team. He was elected as a member of the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021, which was not able to be inducted due to the pandemic that ultimately claimed his life. He will be honored posthumously in 2021.
