After playing college football at Stanford University, Paul Wiggin played his entire pro football career with the Cleveland Browns, in which he twice earned Pro Bowl honors. In 1968, Wiggin was named an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers and spent seven seasons with them. He then joined the Kansas City Chiefs as head coach. After little success, Wiggin left the Chiefs and became the defensive coordination with the New Orleans Saints in 1978. After just two years in that position, he was named head coach of his alma mater, Stanford University, where he spent four seasons.