ATLANTA – Maxie Baughan, NFL legend and College Football Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 85, Leaving behind his wife Dianne of 62 years and 3 kids Max III, Mark, and Matt.
The NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles announced that legendary linebacker Maxie Baughan passed away on Saturday at his home in Ithaca, New York. Baughan died of natural causes he was surrounded by family members in his final moments.
- Baughan died on August 19, 2023, at the age of 85 of natural causes at his home in Ithaca, New York. He was surrounded by family members.
- He had an illustrious football career, playing for Georgia Tech in college where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960 and helped them win the NFL championship that rookie season.
- Baughan went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL for the Eagles, Rams, and Redskins, earning Pro Bowl honors 9 times and All-Pro 7 times.
- After retiring as a player, he coached at Georgia Tech, Cornell, and in the NFL as an assistant coach. He led Cornell to an Ivy League co-championship in 1988.
- Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame, Eagles Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and several other halls of fame. He was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
- There was some controversy during his coaching career at Cornell, where he reportedly had a romantic relationship with his assistant coach’s wife, leading to tension within the program.
- Baughan is survived by his wife of 62 years, three children, and eight grandchildren. Tributes poured in from Georgia Tech, the Eagles, and the football community mourning the loss of a legend.
Football Legend Maxie Baughan Passes Away at 85
Maxie Baughan, the former NFL linebacker and member of the Eagles’ Hall of Fame, died on August 19th in Ithaca, NY at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his family when he passed away due to natural causes.
Baughan had an illustrious football career at both the collegiate and professional levels. He played college football at Georgia Tech, where he was a two-time All-American. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Baughan in 1960, and he helped the team win the NFL championship in his rookie season.
Over his 11-year NFL career with the Eagles, Rams, and Redskins, Baughan made the Pro Bowl 9 times and was named an All-Pro 7 times. He went on to coach at Georgia Tech, Cornell, and in the NFL.
Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie called Baughan “one of our team’s all-time greats” and said, “Maxie’s induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015 solidified his legacy and recognized his contributions to the team.”
Archie Manning of the National Football Foundation said Baughan was “a fierce and highly intelligent competitor” who “mentored countless great players over the years.”
Georgia Tech football coach Brent Key said “Maxie is one of the most legendary figures in our program’s history and a shining example of what a Tech man is. We are heartbroken by his passing.”
Maxie’s Career as Standout Linebacker at NFL to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Baughan attended Georgia Tech, where he excelled as a two-way player at center and linebacker from 1957-1959, before freshmen eligibility in the NCAA. He garnered many honors, including first-team All-American in 1959, SEC Lineman of the Year, and two-time all-SEC selection. Baughan captained the 1959 team, recording a school-record 124 tackles and earning co-MVP of the 1960 Gator Bowl. He graduated with a degree in industrial engineering.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Baughan in 1960, where he immediately helped the team win an NFL championship his rookie season. Over his 11-year NFL career with the Eagles, Rams, and Redskins, he was a 7-time All-Pro and 9-time Pro Bowler.
After retiring as a player, Baughan began coaching. He served as an assistant coach for Georgia Tech before becoming a player-coach for the Redskins in 1974. He then coached in the NFL for the Colts, Lions, Vikings, and Buccaneers. In 1984, Baughan became head coach at Cornell, leading the team to an Ivy League co-championship in 1988, their first since 1971.
Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1965 and the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015. Last month, he was named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Baughan leaves behind a legendary playing and coaching legacy.
Honors
In addition to the Georgia Tech and College Football Halls of Fame, Baughan was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (1980), the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (1983), and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.
On August 4, 2015, the Philadelphia Eagles announced Baughan would be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame on October 19, 2015. That day, the team played the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
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However, Baughan has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, last reaching the semifinalist stage in 2022.
In 2005, Baughan was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
Maxie Baughan was a Family Man Survived by Wife, Children, and Grandchildren
Maxie Callaway Baughan, Jr. was born on August 3, 1938, in Forkland, Alabama. He was the son of Maxie Callaway Baughan, Sr. His grandparents were Elisha Calloway Baughan and Dovie Sedonia Baughan.
Baughan was married to his wife Dianne for 62 years. He is survived by Dianne, their three children – Max III, Mark, and Matt, as well as eight grandchildren – Christopher, Connor, Charlie, Hunter, Hailey, Natalie, Cal, and Heather.
The Baughans made their home in Ithaca, New York, where their son Matt served as the longtime head men’s golf coach at Cornell University.
The affair Baughan had with an assistant coach’s wife
A romantic relationship between Cornell head coach Maxie Baughan and assistant coach Peter Noyes’ wife, Cathy, caused a rift between the two coaches, according to the Ithaca Journal. Sources confirmed Baughan and Cathy Noyes had a “long-time romantic relationship.”
Peter Noyes has been on paid leave from Cornell’s coaching staff since March due to these personal issues. He said he “cannot and will not return to work until the situation is resolved.” Both coaches cited a personal problem at the core of their dispute.
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Cornell athletic director Laing Kennedy said he remains hopeful the issues between Baughan and Noyes can be worked out, despite significant tension within the program. Kennedy disputed claims either coach would be forced out, saying “I’m optimistic” and “we’ve made some progress.”
Kennedy admitted the situation has been difficult, saying he’s never seen a rival issue and that the reaction has largely been disappointment. Noyes expressed confidence in Kennedy to reach a positive solution.
The controversy follows a successful 2021 season where Cornell was Ivy League co-champion, their first conference title since 1971. Despite the issues between coaches, leaders aim to resolve the rift.
