Bobby Conlin
Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame
Football, 1970-1996
De La Salle/Brother Martin High School
Inducted: 1999
A star basketball player in his prep days at De La Salle High School, Robert M. “Bobby” Conlin established himself as a legendary football coach in 27 seasons (1970-96) at the helm of the Brother Martin program. He posted an all-time record of 204-99-5, the most wins for any Catholic League football coach through 2012, and the most for any New Orleans-area coach in Louisiana’s highest classification.
Conlin led the Crusaders to the 1971 Class 4A state championship with a 23-0 victory over archrival St. Augustine. Brother Martin also reached the championship game in 1989, losing to Ouachita Parish. Conlin’s teams advanced to postseason action in 18 of his 27 years.
The gymnasium at Brother Martin is named for Conlin. Included on the commemorative plaque at the entrance to the gym is the following:
“Bob Conlin’s legacy, however, is not told in numbers, but in the hearts and spirits of the thousands of young men he taught to live with courage, honor, dignity, and love. Brother Martin High School will not be the same without this exemplary Catholic education, but Brother Martin will also never be the same because of him.”
Born March 5, 1938, Conlin died on July 24, 1997. He was posthumously inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in 2003.
[Bio courtesy of the New Orleans High School Sports Hall of Fame, Ye Olde College Inn]
