Hall of Fame
The first Miami football player to gain more than 1,000 rushing yards in a season, Pagna was a three-time all-MAC selection and also received honorable mention All-America. He played three years as a halfback under Parseghian from 1951-53. In 1952 he gained 1,044 yards and scored 78 points, which were Miami records at the time.
He ranked third on Miami's all-time career list in rushing with 2,078 yards and is tied for fourth in scoring with 151 points. Captain and MVP in his senior year, he averaged 6.4 yards per carry during his three-year career.
Following graduation, Pagna played professional football with the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns. After coaching two years at Akron North High School, he joined Parseghian in 1962 as offensive backfield coach at Northwestern. He retained the same position when he followed Parseghian to Notre Dame in 1964 to 1974.
Pagna helped guide the Fighting Irish to a perfect 11-0 season and a victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to capture a national title. In 1978 he became the backfield coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
