Pilney played football as a halfback at Notre Dame. In 1935, he led the Irish to a come-from-behind win against top-ranked Ohio State in a contest considered to be a "Game of the Century". Pilney was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round (26th overall pick) of the 1936 NFL Draft.^[1]

Pilney began his professional baseball career in 1936 as an outfielder. While he spent most of the season with the minor league Syracuse Chiefs, he played three games with the Boston Bees in July. He appeared twice as a pinch hitter and once as a pinch runner, but did not play the field. He continued to play in the minors until 1939. As a member of the Indianapolis Indians American Association franchise, Pilney played outfield in 68 games, and batted .261 with eight doubles. On July 14, 1938 he appeared with the Indians in the first-ever All-Star game to be played at Perry Stadium in Indianapolis; batting for starting pitcher Vance Page, he struck out.

Pilney began his college football coaching career in 1942 when he was hired as backfield coach at Washington University in St. Louis.^[2]

His final game at Tulane on November 25, 1961 resulted in a 62–0 loss to rival LSU at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Pilney's successor, Tommy O'Boyle, also lost his final game at the helm of the Green Wave in 1965 to LSU by the same score, 62–0 in Baton Rouge.

Following his departure from Tulane, Pilney continued to live in the New Orleans area, in the Jefferson Parish suburb of Metairie. He served three terms on the Jefferson Parish Council representing District 4 from 1964 to 1976.

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)