JoePa Coming Back Next Year!

Joe Paterno plans to return in 2011 for his 46th season as Penn State's coach.

I love it.

Since Bobby Bowden left, there are no iconic coaches in the NCAA anymore, and Paterno is a living legend and should be allowed to stay as long as he feels. He's 83 right now.

Yes he gave up some of his responsibilities. This fall, Paterno cut back on his schedule during the season, including appearances at the weekly State College Quarterback Club luncheon and on his weekly radio call-in show. He also has delegated more authority to his assistant coaches, who have 153 years of experience combined at Penn State.

But he's 401–133–3.

Good for him.

Bowden Gets A Nice Sendoff From the NCAA

"The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has upheld the decision to penalize Florida State for academic cheating, meaning retired football coach Bobby Bowden's record has been stripped of 14 victories (ESPN)."

Sucks for Bowden, but he wasn't going to be #1 anyways. I wonder if JoePa laughed about this? No, he probably just took some Metamucil, pooped, and then as gently placed in his bed....

Great Quotes From Joe Paterno

"Everyone says it's a black mans game. When I played it was a Jewish mans game."

Is anybody else surprised at this? He is a godzillion years old and doesn't even know what year it is.

Me and Bob go back and forth on this because he hates him and I love Paterno and hope he dies coaching. Either way, Penn State will be nothing without him.

JoePa Returning For 3 More

According to ESPN, Penn State coach Joe Paterno has agreed in principal to a 3 year contract with the university. Paterno is 82 now and this contract would take him through 85. Rumor has it the average annual value will be somewhere around 500K per year. Still beats social security.

I like Penn State and have always had a lot of respect for Paterno but I am having a tough time getting behind this one. Really, I just don't understand it. He had a chance to go out on top a few years ago after beating FSU in the Orange Bowl. The game was beyond thrilling (triple OT) and the season was a huge, largely unexpected success. Why not ride off into the sunset then?

Now he comes back this year with a talented but unremarkable group of guys and an endless media frenzy around his program over when he will actually step aside. I figured they'd have an above average year but certainly not come as close as they did to a BCS championship game. Despite the loss to Iowa, I felt this would be another story book chance for JoePa to go out on top. Win, lose or draw in the Rose Bowl, its hard to consider this season anything but a whopping success.

At the very least, the uncertainty is gone. We know he has the option to come back through 2011. If I was a betting man, I'd put a handsome sum on him retiring after fulfilling 2 years of the contract.

I Hate Joe Paterno

Until today I really never had anything to back up my hatred for Joe Paterno, but today he gave me all the ammo I needed. Penn State was up 48-13 over Syracuse (what the hell happened to them), and its 4th and 12, so you kick the field goal right? Well not if you're JoePa, he goes for it and scores a TD. WTF??? Is that necessary? Has Syracuse not been embarrassed enough? I just thought it was classless, and I know what all you Patriot haters are going to say...Well Belichick did that all last year. Yes, I agree that I even questioned those, but there is a big difference between pro and NCAA football. Those kids aren't getting paid. They aren't going to for their big contract. This was unnecessary, and I just thought classless, by a guy who just needs to retire. Screw you JoePa...

-BMack