Brechler graduated from Emmetsburg High School before attending Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

He hired Bucky O'Connor in basketball, who won two Big Ten championships and led Iowa to two Final Fours.

Brechler also hired Francis Cretzmeyer in track and cross country, who led Iowa to multiple Big Ten titles.

[6] Near the end of his tenure as Iowa athletic director, Paul Brechler had a bitter public feud with head football coach Forest Evashevski.

Brechler served as WAC commissioner for six years before taking the job as athletic director at the University of California in 1968.

When the University of Iowa renovated Kinnick Stadium in 2006, they named the press box in Paul Brechler's honor.