Inducted in 1998
Graduated from Canton High School, Canton, MN, 1959. During his career at Canton High School he played football, basketball baseball and track, where he earned 11 letters. Received a B.S. in Physical Education and Social Science from Winona State University 1965, where he played football 4 years and earned 3 letters. Received an M.S. in Physical Education, Winona State University, 1969, while serving as teaching graduate assistant.
Coaching Career:
Head Football Coach, Assistant Basketball and Track Coach, Braham High School, Braham, MN, 1965-68
Assistant Football Coach, Winona State University, 1968-69
Head Football Coach, Appleton West High School Appleton, WI, 1969-94
Assistant Track Coach, Appleton West High School, Appleton, WI, 1969-73
Assistant Football Coach, Appleton North High School, Appleton, WI, 1995-present
Athletic Director, Appleton West High School, Appleton, WI, 1974-96
Athletic Director, Appleton North High School, Appleton, WI, 1995-present
Wisconsin Football Coaches Association President 1981-83 and 1994-96 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association District Representative 1979-80
Paul's football teams at Appleton West captured Fox Valley Association Championships in 1973, 74, 79, 80, 81, 84, 86, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93. The 1974 and 1992 teams were undefeated. His Appleton West teams participated in the WlAA Division I playoffs in 1981,84,86,89,90,91,92, 93. In 1992, Appleton West won the WIAA Division I State Championship.
The 1991 and 1993 teams placed second in the WIAA state Championship games. Paul has a career head coaching record of 171-94-3. Appleton North High School has won one Conference Championship and has participated in the WIAA playoffs the three years that the school has been open.
Paul was selected as the Fox Valley Association Coach of the Year in 1971, 73, 74, 80, 81, 84, 89 and 93. He was honored by the Milwaukee Sentinel/Journal as Coach of the Year in 1992. Paul was selected as the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association District 4 Athletic Director of the Year in 1981. Paul coached in the 1987 Shrine/WFCA All Star game, serving as the Head Coach. He served as an assistant coach in 1979. Paul was honored as a recipient of the Appleton Red Smith Sportsmanship of the Year Award 3 times and was selected as the Appleton West Educator of the Year in 1995. He was named as "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" in 1996.
Paul gives much of the credit for his coaching philosophy to his father and mother, Spencer and Agnes Engen; Coach Len Froyen, Braham, Minnesota; and Coach Dick Emanuel, Appleton, Wisconsin. Paul states that his parents taught him, "If you start a job, you finish it" Coach Froyen taught him, "Don't complain about the things that you don't have, instead, go about your business, and make the best of what you do have." Coach Emanuel taught him to "Demand and expect the best from every athlete on your team, in practice and games." Paul has a saying that states, "Good players make smart coaches, and when you get good players, coaches must provide them with opportunities to be successful."
He would like to extend a very sincere thanks to all the young men he has been privileged to coach. Without their effort, cooperation and coachability, this tremendous honor could not have happened. Paul says one of the great rewards of being a coach is working with and meeting so many great people such as, coaches Hank Sukow, Harlan Gruber, Ed Smrecek, Mike Weyerberg, John Kunz, Rob Salm, Curt Salm, Chris Heller Joe Krueger, Bob Leverson, Bob Arganda and Mark Schoenbohm.
Tag(s): Hall of Fame