Maxie Baughan

After attending Bessemer City High School in Alabama, Baughan played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1957 to 1959.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerb/baug00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Maxie Baughan Stats}} While at Georgia Tech, he played and started at both linebacker and center.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/georgia-tech-hall-famer-nfl-player-coach-dies-age-85/7GZ7KH7TPVGXPAT7D52FIQTOAM/|publisher=WSB-TV|title=Georgia Tech Hall of Famer, NFL player-coach dies at age 85|date=August 21, 2023}} In 1959, he was Georgia Tech's captain, a consensus All-American, the Southeastern Conference Lineman of the Year, and the Most Valuable Player in the 1960 Gator Bowl. He set a Georgia Tech single-season record with 124 tackles.

Baughan was selected in the second round (20th overall) of the 1960 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, additionally being chosen as a first-round pick in the 1960 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He joined the Eagles and became a starter immediately at the rightside linebacker position, starting nine of 12 games in his rookie season as the Eagles went on to win the 1960 NFL Championship over the Green Bay Packers, which remained the team's last league title until Super Bowl LII in the 2017 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-app-super-bowl-for-app-20180204-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Eagles win their first Super Bowl with 41–33 defeat of Patriots |date=February 4, 2018}} He was chosen to his first Pro Bowl that year, posting three interceptions in the game, and was also the runner-up for the NFL's rookie of the year award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaugMa00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Maxie Baughan Stats}}{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10086713-maxie-baughan-dies-at-age-85-former-eagles-rams-lb-earned-9-pro-bowl-selections|website=Bleacher Report|title=Maxie Baughan Dies at Age 85; Former Eagles, Rams LB Earned 9 Pro Bowl Selections|author=Sam, Doric|date=August 20, 2023}} He went on to play the following 10 years in the NFL and was an All-Pro selection in seven of those years. Baughan played his first six years with the Eagles and earned Pro Bowl selection in all but one of those years. During a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965, he helped the Eagles set a team record with nine interceptions in the 47–13 win, with six of those points coming off an interception by Baughan which he returned for the only score of his career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/where-are-they-now-lb-maxie-baughan|publisher=Philadelphia Eagles|title=Where are they now? LB Maxie Baughan |author=Gehman, Jim|date=December 31, 2020}}

By 1966, the number of games the Eagles won had sharply declined and Baughan decided that he wanted out of Philadelphia. However, George Allen, who was entering his first season as an NFL head coach with the Los Angeles Rams, won the right to Baughan's services by sending two players (linebacker Fred Brown and defensive tackle Frank Molden[Street and Smith's Official Yearbook; 1966 Pro Football; page 45]) to the Eagles in return. Baughan and Allen would develop a strong relationship, spending extensive time studying game film together. Baughan would later state that he learned more about football from Allen than anyone else.{{Cite web |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4517 |title=philadelphiaeagles.com |access-date=September 8, 2009 |archive-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311014658/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4517 |url-status=dead }} Baughan was chosen to be the Rams' defensive captain and was in charge of signal calling for the unit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/sports/football/maxie-baughan-dead.html|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Maxie Baughan, Feared Linebacker of the 1960s, Dies at 85|author=Williams, Alex|date=August 21, 2023}} He was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons with the Rams and was also a first-team All-Pro choice three times. After an injury-plagued 1970 season, in which he played in only 10 games, Baughan retired from the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/where-now-maxie-baughan-183040343--nfl.html |publisher=Yahoo! News|title=Where are they now: Maxie Baughan|date=November 1, 2013|author=Crippen, Ken}}

Baughan's contractual rights were traded along with Jack Pardee, Myron Pottios, Diron Talbert, John Wilbur, Jeff Jordan, and a 1971 fifth-round pick (124th overall—traded to Green Bay Packers for Boyd Dowler) from the Rams to the Washington Redskins for Marlin McKeever, first and third rounders in 1971 (10th and 63rd overall—Isiah Robertson and Dave Elmendorf respectively) and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounders in 1972 (73rd, 99th, 125th, 151st and 177th overall—to New England Patriots, traded to Philadelphia Eagles for Joe Carollo, Bob Christiansen, Texas Southern defensive tackle Eddie Herbert and to New York Giants respectively) on January 28, 1971.[https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/29/archives/patriots-choose-plunkett-as-no-1-in-college-draft-spurning-trade.html Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers"], The New York Times, Friday, January 29, 1971. Retrieved November 1, 2020[https://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Years/1971.htm 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17)—Pro Sports Transactions.] Retrieved November 1, 2020

In 1974, Allen, now the head coach of the Redskins, talked Baughan into a brief return to the NFL as a player-coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/130573431/|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 13, 1975|page=37, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/130577940/ 42]|title=Baughan Rejoins a Friend|author=Janofsky, Michael}} {{Open access}} He appeared in two games, mainly as a backup to Chris Hanburger. At the conclusion of that season, Baughan retired. He finished with 18 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) and 10 fumble recoveries in 147 games played; Baughan also unofficially posted 24.5 sacks.

After retiring from the NFL, Baughan served as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, from 1972 to 1973.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BaugMa0.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Maxie Baughan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks}} Following his brief return to playing in 1974, he went back into coaching by becoming the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts in 1975. During his time with the Colts, the team won three straight AFC East divisional championships from 1975 to 1977.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/coach/baug00600coach.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Maxie Baughan NFL Coaching Record and Bio}} He left the Colts in 1980 and then served through 1982 as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions.

Baughan was named head coach of the Cornell Big Red college football team in 1983.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/130573881/|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 2, 1983|page=60, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/130574021/ 64]|title=Textbooks first, TDs second for Cornell's Maxie Baughan|author=Lawrence, Mitch}} {{Open access}} He led them to the Ivy League championship in 1988, their first since 1971.{{Cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/sports/2023/08/former-nfl-star-cornell-football-coach-maxie-baughan-dies-in-ithaca-at-85.html|website=Syracuse.com|title=Former NFL star, Cornell football coach Maxie Baughan dies in Ithaca at 85|date=August 21, 2023|agency=Associated Press}} However, he was forced to resign before the next season after information surfaced about an affair he had with an assistant coach's wife.{{cite news |last1=Raeke |first1=Carolyn |title=CORNELL'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS ROCKED BY CONTROVERSY PAPER SAYS BAUGHAN HAS HAD LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ASSISTANT'S WIFE |url=http://buffalonews.com/1989/04/15/cornells-football-program-is-rocked-by-controversy-paper-says-baughan-has-had-long-relationship-with-assistants-wife/ |newspaper=The Buffalo News |access-date=June 19, 2017 |date=April 15, 1989}} Baughan then coached a team in Japan in 1989 before returning to the NFL in 1990 as linebackers coach of the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news/130574734/|newspaper=The Courier-News|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 7, 1990|page=24|title=Maxie Baughan joining Vikings}} {{Open access}} Following two years with Minnesota, he coached the linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1992 to 1995, and then served in that same role with the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 until retiring after 1998.

Baughan died in Ithaca, New York, on August 19, 2023, at the age of 85.{{cite news |last1=Spadaro |first1=Dave |title=Eagles mourn the passing of Hall of Fame LB Maxie Baughan |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/maxie-baughan-eagles-mourn-passing |access-date=August 20, 2023 |publisher=Philadelphia Eagles |date=August 20, 2023}} On December 3, 2024, his family announced through the Concussion Legacy Foundation that Baughan had stage 3 CTE.{{Cite web |title=2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist, 9-time NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Maxie Baughan diagnosed with CTE |url=https://concussionfoundation.org/news/press-release/pro-football-hall-of-fame-finalist-9-time-nfl-pro-bowl-linebacker-maxie-baughan-diagnosed-with-cte/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Concussion Legacy Foundation |language=en-usa}}

Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1965 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.{{Cite web|url=https://ramblinwreck.com/georgia-tech-football-mourns-the-passing-of-maxie-baughan/|publisher=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|title=Georgia Tech Football Mourns the Passing of Maxie Baughan|date=August 20, 2023}} He was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://www.georgiasportshalloffame.com/class-of-1980|publisher=Georgia Sports Hall of Fame|title=Class of 1980}}{{Cite web|url=https://ashof.org/inductees/maxie-baughan/|publisher=Alabama Sports Hall of Fame|title=Maxie Baughan|date=September 12, 2019 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/20120720_Philly_sports_hall_announces_newest_class.html|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|title=Philly sports hall announces newest class|date=July 20, 2012|author=Jerardi, Dick|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web|url=https://cornellbigred.com/news/2023/8/20/college-football-hall-of-famer-maxie-baughan-passes-away.aspx|publisher=Cornell Big Red|title=College Football Hall of Famer Maxie Baughan Passes Away|date=August 20, 2023}}

Despite his NFL accomplishments, Baughan has not been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Several sources have considered him among the best players not inducted.{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/151178-crazy-canton-cuts-maxie-baughan|website=Bleacher Report|title=Crazy Canton Cuts = Maxie Baughan|author=Nix, JW|date=April 5, 2009}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0810-football-hof-seniors-20210809-neorrnghzffspm6lqfxhmrlvsm-story.html|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame rules cheat deserving players out of induction|author=Laird, Bruce|author-link=Bruce Laird (American football)|date=August 9, 2021|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web|url=https://insidetheiggles.com/posts/compelling-arguments-for-inducting-two-eagles-legends-pro-football-hall-of-fame|website=FanSided|title=Compelling arguments for finally inducting two often-ignored Eagles into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |author=Knox, Geoffrey|date=July 13, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://rickgosselin.com/state-your-case-maxie-baughan/|website=RickGosselin.com|author=Gosselin, Rick|author-link=Rick Gosselin|title=State Your Case: Maxie Baughan|date=April 2015}} In 2005, he was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association's Hall of Very Good in the association's third HOVG class, an honor for the best players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |title=Hall of Very Good |access-date=July 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005051004/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2004.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }} He was reportedly a favorite among Hall of Fame selectors for the class of 2020, but was not elected.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/duke-slater-maxie-baughan-are-seniors-hall-of-fame-favorites|publisher=NBC Sports|title=Duke Slater, Maxie Baughan are seniors Hall of Fame favorites|author=Williams, Charean|author-link=Charean Williams|date=July 5, 2019}} He was also a finalist for the classes of 2023 and 2024, but missed selection both times.{{Cite web|url=https://denversports.com/2099823/is-this-the-time-that-randy-gradishars-long-hall-of-fame-wait-finally-ends/|website=Denver Sports|title=Is this the time that Randy Gradishar's long Hall of Fame wait finally ends?|author=Mason, Andrew|date=August 12, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2023/08/pro-football-hall-of-fame-committee-rebuffs-maxie-baughan.html|website=AL.com|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame committee rebuffs Maxie Baughan|date=August 23, 2023|author=Inabinett, Mark}} As of December 2024, he is again a finalist for the senior class of 2025.{{Cite web |title=Contributor, coach, senior finalists revealed for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/contributor-coach-senior-finalists-revealed-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025#:~:text=The%2025%20players%20still%20under,Jahri%20Evans,%20Richmond%20Webb,%20Steve |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}

In 2012, Baughan received the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the National Eagle Scout Association of the Boy Scouts of America.{{cite web |title=Baughan and top Scouts speak at annual breakfast |date=March 26, 2011 |work=Carroll Eagle |publisher=Patuxant Publishing |url=http://archives.explorecarroll.com/news/5295/baughan-top-scouts-speak-annual-breakfast/ |access-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114049/http://archives.explorecarroll.com/news/5295/baughan-top-scouts-speak-annual-breakfast/ |url-status=dead }} Baughan was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on October 19, 2015, during the team's Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/baughan-westbrook-headed-to-hall-of-fame-15584445|publisher=Philadelphia Eagles|title=Baughan, Westbrook Headed to Hall of Fame |date=August 4, 2015}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Cornell Big Red

| conf = Ivy League

| startyear = 1983

| endyear = 1988

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1983

| name = Cornell

| overall = 3–6–1

| conference = 3–3–1

| confstanding = 5th

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| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1984

| name = Cornell

| overall = 2–7

| conference = 2–5

| confstanding = T–6th

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1985

| name = Cornell

| overall = 3–7

| conference = 2–5

| confstanding = 7th

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1986

| name = Cornell

| overall = 8–2

| conference = 6–1

| confstanding = 2nd

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1987

| name = Cornell

| overall = 5–5

| conference = 4–3

| confstanding = T–4th

| bowlname =

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| ranking = no

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

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| confstanding = T–1st

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| ranking = no

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{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Cornell

| overall = 28–29–2

| confrecord = 23–18–1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 28–29–2

| bowls = no

| poll = no

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}}

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