Maxie Calloway Baughan, Jr.

Maxie Calloway Baughan, Jr., a dominant college, and NFL player and coach, passed away on August 19th, at the age of 85.   He was born in tiny Forkland, AL, and grew up in Bessmer, AL.  After graduating from Bessemer High, he was recruited by several Universities and chose Georgia Tech.
National College Football Foundation Chairman, Archie Manning, said of Maxie, “he was a fierce & highly intelligent competitor, and established himself as the best center in the nation in 1959.” He was named a consensus first team All American & voted Southeastern Conference Lineman of the year.  He played in the Gator Bowl where he was chosen MVP, the Hula Bowl & College All Star Games.  Legendary GT coach, Bobby Dodd, said of Maxie, “I never saw better tackling in my life, and I have never had a captain who helped me more, or was a better leader.”
Maxie was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1960 draft. He became an immediate starter and was a runner-up for Rookie of the Year. The Eagles defeated the Packers in the World Championship game that year and Maxie was named to the first of five Pro Bowl selections with the Eagles.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. Ram’s Head Coach George Allen is known to have said “best trade I ever made.” He became the team’s defensive captain and signal caller and earned All Pro first-team honors twice. He was also selected second team 5 times during his playing career.
Maxie retired as a player in 1971 to become defensive coordinator at his alma mater.  At George Allen’s urging, he returned to the NFL as a player coach for the Washington Redskins. When his playing days were over, he turned to coaching to become defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Colts and Detroit Lions. In 1984, he became the head football coach at Cornell University and led the Big Red to its second Ivy League Championship in 1988. He returned to the NFL & coached the Vikings, Buccaneers & Ravens.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015.  He is a member of the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and was named to their All Time Team. He is a member of the State of Georgia, the State of Alabama and the Gator Bowl Halls of Fame.
One of the honors he was most proud of was reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.  In 2012, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for his lifelong service.
Maxie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dianne; children, Max (Jen), Mark (Carolyn), Matt (Kelly) and eight grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Christopher, Connor, Charlie, Hunter, Hailey, Natalie, Cal, and Heather.
To honor Maxie’s wishes, there will be a family graveside service at Emory Church Cemetery in Upperco, Md. followed by a Southern BBQ in the church hall for family and friends. Other celebrations of life details will be shared at a future date.   In lieu of flowers and to honor Maxie’s love and passion for golf, please make any memorial donations to Cornell Golf, Cornell, University, Box 37334, Boome, IA 50037-0334.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to Maxie’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.