Paul Wiggin is a former American football player and coach who had a successful career in the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 to 1977. He played as a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns for 11 seasons and was a key member of their defense during the 1960s.
Wiggin was born on August 16, 1934, in San Francisco, California. He attended Stanford University, where he played college football as a defensive end. He was a two-time All-American and helped lead the Stanford Cardinal to a Rose Bowl victory in 1956.
After graduating from Stanford, Wiggin was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a reliable player on the Browns' defense, earning a starting role in his second season. Wiggin was known for his toughness and his ability to rush the quarterback, recording 39.5 sacks during his career.
Wiggin played for the Browns until 1967, when he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. He played two seasons for the Vikings before retiring as a player in 1969.
After his playing career, Wiggin became a coach. He served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 1970 to 1973 before joining the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive line coach in 1974. Wiggin was part of the Cowboys' coaching staff that won Super Bowl XII in 1978.
In 1979, Wiggin was hired as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. He coached the Chiefs for four seasons, compiling a record of 16-38-1. After being fired by the Chiefs in 1982, Wiggin returned to the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator. He held that position until 1985, when he retired from coaching.
Wiggin's contributions to the NFL were recognized in 2019 when he was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team. He was also inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.
In addition to his football career, Wiggin is known for his work as a philanthropist. He and his wife, Sharon, founded the Paul and Sharon Wiggin Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students at Stanford University.
Overall, Paul Wiggin had a successful career in football as both a player and a coach. He was a key member of the Cleveland Browns' defense during the 1960s and helped the Dallas Cowboys win a Super Bowl as a coach. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous accolades, and his philanthropic work has had a positive impact on the lives of many students.
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