Jim Wagstaff

Jim Wagstaff (June 12, 1936 — September 28, 2010) was a safety and coach in the National Football League and the American Football League. He played college football at Idaho State.

Jim Wagstaff
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born:(1936-06-12)June 12, 1936
American Falls, Idaho
Died:September 28, 2010(2010-09-28) (aged 74)
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:American Falls High School
College:Idaho State
NFL Draft:1958 / Round: 21 / Pick: 253
Career history
As player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:30
Interceptions:9
Player stats at PFR

Early life and high school

Wagstaff was born and grew up in American Falls, Idaho and attended American Falls High School.[1]

College career

Wagstaff was a member of the Idaho State Bengals for four seasons, joining the team as a walk-on. He played quarterback, halfback and defensive back. He was named All-Rocky Mountain Conference as a senior. Wagstaff was also a four-year member of the Idaho State track team.[2]

Professional career

Wagstaff was selected in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions but was cut during training camp. He took a high school coaching position in Idaho and was invited to Lions camp for a second straight season but was cut a second time after suffering a knee injury.[3] Wagstaff was teaching e was signed by the Chicago Cardinals in November of the 1959 season and played in two games.[4] Wagstaff was named All-American Football League in his first season with the Bills after intercepting six passes and returning one for a touchdown. He intercepted three passes in 1961. Wagstaff retired from playing football after suffering a severe injury during training camp in 1962.[3][5]

Coaching career and later life

After his playing career ended, Wagstaff earned a masters degree in education from Utah State University. After teaching and coaching football at Pocatello High and then Idaho Falls High, he was hired as the defensive coordinator at Boise State. Wagstaff was hired as the Los Angeles Rams defensive backs coach in 1973. He was hired by the Bills in 1978, where he remained until he was hired away by the San Diego Chargers in 1981.[6][7] After leaving coaching Wagstaff moved back to Idaho before moving to Kenai, Alaska, where he became the head football coach at Kenai Central High School. Wagstaff died on September 28, 2010.[5]

References
  1. O'Donnell, Michael H. (September 8, 2013). "Fan-tastic obsession: Couple attends all but 1 ISU home football game since 1970". Idaho State Journal.
  2. "The Assistants". Boise State College 1970 Press Book. 1970. p. 5.
  3. Miller, Jeffrey J. (2007). Rockin' the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League. ECW Press.
  4. "Chicago Picks Up Jim Wagstaff For Added Defensive Strength". Idaho State Journal. NewspaperArchive.com. November 4, 1959.
  5. "James Burke Wagstaff Obituary". coltrinmortuary.com.
  6. Gehman, Jim (2007). "Then Levy Said to Kelly--: The Best Buffalo Bills Stories Ever Told". Triumph Books. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  7. "The San Diego Chargers have named Jim Wagstaff, 44,..." United Press International. February 10, 1981. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.