California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1993
Bryan Wagner was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. Wagner played for the CSUN Football team from 1982 to 1984 after transferring from California Lutheran University.
A starter at quarterback and a standout specialist at CSUN, Wagner was recognized as one of the team's most vital special teams assets, once averaging 44.4 yards per punt during a dominant stretch. He won the team's prestigious punter and kicker award in 1984. Wagner is the Matadors' all-time leading punter, who finished his three-year career from 1982-84 with 202 punts for a 43.4 yards per punt average for head coach Tom Keele.
On the Matador top 10 season punting average chart, Wagner ranks No. 1 (1983), No. 2 (1982), and No. 5 (1984). He also owns the North Campus Stadium records for punting yardage in a game (513, vs. Cal Lutheran) and highest average punt in a game (47.9, vs. UC Davis). During his career, he was recognized with All-American honors by the Associated Press in 1982 and 1993 and by Kodak in 1983.
After graduating, he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1985. He went on to forge a nine-year professional football career from 1987 to 1995Â as a specialized punter. Wagner played for five different NFL franchises throughout his career: the Chicago Bears (1987-88), Cleveland Browns (1989-90), New England Patriots (1991-94), Green Bay Packers (1994), and San Diego Chargers (1995). He reached the pinnacle of his pro career by playing with the San Diego Chargers against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
He appeared in 106 total games, punting 506 times with a career average of 40.8 yards per punt. After retiring from professional football, Wagner transitioned into education and coaching. He served as a teacher and head football coach back at his high school alma mater, Hilltop High School in Chula Vista.
A 1980 graduate of Hilltop High School, Wagner earned eight varsity letters in high school, including three each in soccer and baseball and two in football. He and his wife, Robin, have a son, Matthew.
