Paul Leonard Paul Briggs

Paul Leonard Briggs of Santa Ana passed away on February 14, 2011 at the age of 90. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 18, 1920 to Harold and Helene Briggs. When he was ten years old, he told his mother he was going to be a football player and football coach, and he achieved these goals.

In 1939, he graduated from Grand Junction High School in Colorado where he lettered in football and wrestling, and was selected to the Colorado H.S. State All-Star Football Team. He attended Mesa Jr. College in 1940 where he was selected to the Inter-Mountain J.C. All-Conference Football Team and named Conference Most Outstanding Lineman. At the University of Colorado in Boulder, he was voted United Press All-American at offensive tackle in 1943 and was selected for the Big Six All-Conference Football Teams in 1943, '46 & '47. In 1948, he was selected for the All-West Team in the East vs. West Shrine College All-Star game.

He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1948 and played offensive tackle and linebacker until he suffered an NFL career-ending knee injury. At 6' 5", 285 pounds, the then coach of the Lions said, "Golly, that fellow is big enough to hunt bears with a switch!"

In 1941, Paul enlisted in the NROTC while at the Univ. of Colorado, was commissioned Ensign in Dec. 1943 and ordered to active duty on the Destroyer USS Daly DD519 in the WWII Pacific Theater. He participated in the liberation of the Philippines and radar picket duty (Iwo Jima and Okinawa). He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received on picket duty. He helped put the USS Daly out of commission and was discharged from active duty, April 1946. Paul remained in the Active U.S. Navy Reserve and, after 38 years of faithful and honorable service to his country, retired in 1980 as a Commander.

Paul married the love of his life, Sally, in May 1946 and they shared a wonderful marriage for 63 years until her death in Feb. 2010. Paul received his Bachelor's Degree in 1948 from the University of Colorado and his Master's Degree from the University of Southern California in 1956.

He began his high school football coaching career as head football coach of Rocky Ford H.S.in Colorado, 1949-50 (2 years). Then moved to Casper, Wyoming as head football coach of Natrona County H.S.,1951-52 (2 years). Coach Briggs enjoyed a long, legacy of success as head football coach at Bakersfield High School (BHS) in California, 1953-85 (33 years), for a total of 37 years as a head high school football coach. While at BHS, his Driller football teams attained many winning seasons and won numerous championships.

In 1986, he moved to Santa Ana and joined the Orange Coast College football staff as an assistant and coached there for 20 years (1986-2005) until his retirement at the age of 85, totaling 57 continuous years as a football coach. Paul never missed a game or a practice in 69 years of coaching or playing football.

During his coaching career, Paul received many coaching awards and was inducted into several halls of fame including: California High School Coach of the Year (1963); National High School Football Coach of the year (1972); University of Colorado Hall of Honor (1974); Citizens Athletic Foundation High School Hall of Fame (1975); Calif. Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame (1977); Bob Elias Kern County Hall of Fame (1978); National Interscholastic Coaches Assoc. Distinguished Service Award (1983); Lombardi Honor Court of Champions (1986); National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Distinguished American Award (1998); and Bakersfield High School Driller Football Hall of Fame (2006). He was also elected President of the Calif. Coaches Assoc. (1964) and President of the National High School Athletic Coaches Assoc. (1976).

Paul is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Tom Parsons; two grandsons, Russell and Kevin Parsons; two sisters, Virginia Wilhite and Janet Dodrill (Dale); five nieces and six nephews. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Dr., Corona Del Mar, CA 92625. In addition, all are welcome to attend a tribute celebrating Coach Briggs' life at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Bakersfield, CA, at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Paul Briggs Scholarship Fund, Bakersfield High School, Attn: Finance Office, 1241 "G" Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.