Paul Widmer

Paul Francis Widmer Jr. (August 21, 1937 – October 9, 2017) was an American football coach. He served at the head football coach at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona from 1970 to 1980, compiling a record of 86–19–3, and leading his team to two NJCAA National Football Championships, in 1973 and 1975.

Joe Kersting
Biographical details
Born(1937-08-21)August 21, 1937
Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedOctober 9, 2017(2017-10-09) (aged 80)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Playing career
1955–1958Arizona State
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1959Camelback HS (AZ) (assistant)
1960–1963Tempe HS (AZ) (assistant)
1964–1966Tempe HS (AZ)
1967–1969Mesa (AZ) (assistant)
1970–1980Mesa (AZ)
Head coaching record
Overall86–19–3 (junior college)
Bowls3–1 (junior college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 NJCAA National (1973, 1975)
5 AJCAC/ACCAC (1970, 1973–1976)

Widmer played played college football at Arizona State University from 1955 to 1958 under head coach Dan Devine and Frank Kush. He began his coaching career in 1959 as an assistant at Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona. The following yearl he moved to Tempe High School in Tempe, Arizona, where he was an assistant coach for four years before being promoted to head football coach.[1] Widmer joined the coaching staff of the newly-opened Mesa Community College as an assisant in 1967 under head coach Mutt Ford. He succeeded Ford as head coach in 1970.[2] Widmer resigned from his post at Mesa after the 1980 season and was succeeded by assistant coach, Allen Benedict.[3][4]

Widmer died on October 9, 2017, in Mesa.[5]

Head coaching record

Junior college
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Mesa Hokams/Thunderbirds (Arizona Junior College Athletic Conference / Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) (1970–1980)
1970 Mesa 10–14–01stL Shrine Bowl
1971 Mesa 7–22–23rd
1972 Mesa 8–22–23rd
1973 Mesa 10–05–01stW El Toro Bowl
1974 Mesa 9–14–11stW Wool Bowl
1975 Mesa 9–05–01st
1976 Mesa 9–1–14–0–11stW Wool Bowl
1977 Mesa 7–1–14–12nd
1978 Mesa 7–33–23rd
1979 Mesa 7–33–2T–2nd
1980 Mesa 3–5–12–34th
Mesa: 86–19–338–13–1
Total:86–19–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. "New Prep Grid Coach". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. Associated Press. May 11, 1967. p. D2. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
  2. "Widmer given position as MCC football head". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. May 10, 1970. p. 10D. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
  3. Nightengale, Bob (December 25, 1980). "Needing change, Widmer resigns as MCC coach". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. Extra 9. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
  4. Nightengale, Bob (December 25, 1980). "Widmer (continued)". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. Extra 10. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
  5. "Widmer, Paul F. Jr". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. October 22, 2017. p. 10E. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .


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