Analysis: Farewell to the Vikings’ Paul Wiggin, who humbly shared his journey through the NFL

A thought came to mind at Winter Park in 2007 when a Vikings rookie named Adrian Peterson was taking the NFL by storm in a style that looked like the second coming of Jim Brown.

“Walk across the hall and talk to Paul …”

It’s been a recurring thought over the years.

Thought: Who knew early on that John Randle had the heart and motor of a future Hall of Fame defensive tackle back when he was fresh off a $5,000 signing bonus as an undrafted, undersized nobody from D-II Texas A&M-Kingsville?

“Talk to Paul …”

Thought: Who knew early on that Chris Doleman, another Vikings Hall of Famer, had the perfect body lean to transform a good college linebacker into a great NFL edge rusher back in 1985?

“Talk to Paul …”

Wiggin, who died Friday at age 91, wouldn’t approve of anything that’s been written here so far. Too much credit, he would say.

“Paul was a dandy, a great person, one of the best ever,” said Jerry Reichow, who was in Wiggin’s draft class, played against Wiggin as a member of the Detroit Lions and the Vikings, and later worked with him in Minnesota.

Born Nov. 18, 1934, in Modesto, Calif., Wiggin became a four-sport star while growing into his 6-foot-3, 242-pound frame at Manteca High School. Defensive end was his calling to Stanford and then the NFL as a sixth-round pick (73rd overall) of the Browns.

Wiggin helped the Browns win their last NFL title in 1964 before retiring in 1967 and heading straight into coaching San Francisco’s defensive line from 1968 to 1973. He was 49ers defensive coordinator in 1974.

The Chiefs hired him as head coach in 1975. He replaced Hall of Famer Hank Stram and went 11-24 before being fired after a loss to the Browns dropped Kansas City to 1-6 to start the 1977 season.

On Nov. 20, 1982, with John Elway as his quarterback, Wiggin was on the losing end of perhaps the wildest play in the history of organized sports. Remembered simply as “The Play,” Stanford lost 25-20 on a walk-off kick return in which rival Cal, coached by former Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp, lateraled five times before having to run through the Stanford band to reach the end zone.

No one can recall Wiggin ever lamenting that game. Or dwelling on anything negative, really.

“He was such a classy guy,” said former Vikings General Manager Jeff Diamond. “I never saw him get upset. He was just very even-keel. And a great coach and eye for talent that really helped when free agency was starting in the early ‘90s.”

Wiggin joined the Vikings as defensive line coach from 1985 to 1991 before moving to the front office in 1992.

“Paul was great not only at coaching up the defensive linemen we had but also managing the personalities,” Diamond said. “We had a lot of big personalities. Doleman, Keith Millard, Johnny Randle coming in later.”

“When Doleman got here, he was a stand-up linebacker from Pitt,” Diamond said. “Paul makes him a down defensive end and in two, three years, Chris is on a path to the Hall of Fame.

“And Keith was kind of the bull in a china shop. Paul was able to take all that, refine it and help Keith become the player he was.”

Randle told Vikings.com that Wiggin was “the original guru. He had a quiet way of imparting his knowledge and wisdom in a way that changed the game. He never raised his voice or spoke in harsh words. His humble leadership pushed you to be a better player and a better man. … In many ways, I am who I am today because of Paul Wiggin.”

In a statement, Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said: “We had the honor of meeting Paul when we purchased the team in 2005, and it quickly became clear how much he loved the Minnesota Vikings. He captivated staff members and us with his stories about the history of the franchise and the NFL. He cared about players, coaches and staff, and he wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for Vikings fans. But what Paul was most proud of was his family — his wife, Carolynn, his three daughters and his growing number of grandchildren.”

Right about now would have been a good time to talk to Paul. Like in 2007 when he was already in his 70s and describing with child-like appreciation this amazing kid named Adrian Peterson and how much his style reminded him of the greatest running back of all time, Jim Brown.

Well, he lived long and well and saw plenty.