Paul Milton Downing (November 27, 1873 – December 11, 1944) was an American college football player and coach.
He played at Stanford University and was the head coach at Oregon State University (then known as "State Agricultural College").
While at Stanford, he was friends with classmate and future United States President Herbert Hoover.After his football days, Downing went on to become a top executive at Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
He was actively involved in creation of hydroelectric power facilities.
He died at the age of 71 on December 11, 1944 in San Francisco, California.