WTF? Joe Paterno gets an extension

[General Mike]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/spor...t-Paterno.html

[/b]Paterno Gets Four - Year Contract Extension[/b]
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: May 13, 2004


Filed at 5:29 p.m. ET

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Despite three losing seasons in the last four years, Joe Paterno got a four-year contract extension from Penn State on Thursday that will take him past his 80th birthday.

Penn State went 3-9 last season, the worst record in Paterno's 39 seasons as head coach of the Nittany Lions. It was just the fourth losing season since Paterno joined the coaching staff in 1950.

Advertisement


Penn State didn't win a road game for the first time since the 1936 season, and finished below .500 in the Big Ten (1-7) for the first time since joining the conference for the 1993 season.

``I appreciate this extension and show of confidence in me and our football program,'' Paterno said in a statement. ``I still enjoy coaching and I'm excited about the upcoming season and the incoming recruiting class.''

In a statement, university president Graham Spanier praised Paterno's ``success on the field, the graduation rate of his student athletes and the positive impact his players have made on society.''

Terms of the deal were not released.

The contract for the 77-year-old Paterno was scheduled to end after the 2004 season and, because of Penn State's recent lack of success, many questioned if the coach would return.

But Paterno, 77, has repeatedly said he wants to continue coaching as long as he's healthy.

``Penn State's future is bright and we are determined to have a team which in the future will again be in the mix for a national championship,'' he said.

Paterno won national championships in 1982 and 1986 and has coached five undefeated teams. His overall record is 339-109-3, and he is second only to Florida State's Bobby Bowden in major-college wins.
=======================================================

I just don't get it. Maybe I'm nuts but Joe Pa has lost more than a few miles off of his fastball. Oh, what the hell do I care. Penn State is right near the top of my hated teams list.

[Noop]

I don't know maybe they will hire his replacement soon and let him get use to Happy Valley then tell Ole Joe to step down if things continue on this way.

[hoopsguy]

As a Penn State hater I applaud this move.

[lcjjdnh]

My friends and I have determined that they just let Joe Pa stand with the headset on the sideline and just keep it turned off allowing him to just ramble on to himself about his plans.

[Franklinnoble]

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense... but I guess I can admire PSU for being loyal to the old man...

[SteelerFan448]

Well they should be loyal to him, he has done great things for them.

Here is why they made the move. They (Joe Pa or PSU) don't want to be asked all year whether he will retire/be fired after the season. This should shut the media up for a year or two from asking those types of questions. I personally doubt he goes the full term of the contract before retiring.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan448

Well they should be loyal to him, he has done great things for them.

Here is why they made the move. They (Joe Pa or PSU) don't want to be asked all year whether he will retire/be fired after the season. This should shut the media up for a year or two from asking those types of questions. I personally doubt he goes the full term of the contract before retiring.

Why don't they just give him an extension "until death do us part." It would save them the toruble of renegotiating ever few years.

CR

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Why don't they just give him an extension "until death do us part." It would save them the toruble of renegotiating ever few years.

CR

Because Jo Pa won't quit. If they did that, in 3 or 4 years, you'll see him roaming the sidelines on a "lark" with an oxygen mask and an adult diaper.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

Because Jo Pa won't quit. If they did that, in 3 or 4 years, you'll see him roaming the sidelines on a "lark" with an oxygen mask and an adult diaper.

That's my point.

They don't seem inclined to stop giving him extensions despite the fact it's obvious he'll stay on forever if he can. So they might as well do an extension "to death".

CR

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

That's my point.

They don't seem inclined to stop giving him extensions despite the fact it's obvious he'll stay on forever if he can. So they might as well do an extension "to death".

CR

You gotta admit, that'd be pretty funny to see...

I think at some point, Joe Pa will be senile enough to put on the sidelines of some nearby community college and not know the difference... I don't see how else Penn State is going to unload him before he runs that program into the ground for good.. unless he keels over on the sidelines...

[Dr. Sak]

As a PSU fan i am very happy that this happened. One key point was that coaches were already using his contract status against him. By doing this they can no longer say that "Joepa might not get his contract extended." Everyone knows that he only has a few years left. Heck in the 1980s head coaches used JoePa's age against him. Needless to say he outlasted most all of them. But now with Joe going to turn 78 in December we all realize the end is near.

Joe is a competitor he does not want to go out a loser and I think that his previous record gives him a few extra chances that other coaches might not see. He always said he wanted to have one more chance at a national title before he retires. It wont happen this year but on paper a run could happen in 2005.

[Tigercat]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Joe is a competitor he does not want to go out a loser and I think that his previous record gives him a few extra chances that other coaches might not see. He always said he wanted to have one more chance at a national title before he retires. It wont happen this year but on paper a run could happen in 2005.

yikes, I'm not a Penn St hater like some, but thats a serious dose of happy pills you must be taking! I would like to see a legend like Joe Pa go out on top, but it doesn't seem like he has the coaching staff or talent to compete on a championship level anytime soon. For an entrenched staff to go from 3-9 to competing for a championship in two years would take a miracle.

[Kodos]

I too applaud Penn State. Let the man go out on his own terms. Without him, the football program never would have been anything.


With all the piece of shit people like Gary Barnett out there coaching college football, why try to run out one of the guys who runs a clean program and is a classy guy?

[Suicane75]

I don't follow recruiting that close but I do know that Joe Pa has been slowly moving towards a more modern style of play calling and allowing his assistant coaches to open things up more. He isn't senile yet and I do think that if he can get the right athletes he can be a 9 win team win in the next couple of years.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

...in 3 or 4 years, you'll see him roaming the sidelines on a "lark" with an oxygen mask and an adult diaper.

What? Like he didn't do that last year?

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I too applaud Penn State. Let the man go out on his own terms. Without him, the football program never would have been anything.


With all the piece of shit people like Gary Barnett out there coaching college football, why try to run out one of the guys who runs a clean program and is a classy guy?

Well put, Penn State should pretty much kiss his ass for what he's done for them - and it appears they are.

Let him try for another really successful season and then retire on a good note. I get the feeling that's what he really wants.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Tigercat

yikes, I'm not a Penn St hater like some, but thats a serious dose of happy pills you must be taking! I would like to see a legend like Joe Pa go out on top, but it doesn't seem like he has the coaching staff or talent to compete on a championship level anytime soon. For an entrenched staff to go from 3-9 to competing for a championship in two years would take a miracle.

It would take a lot of work but not a miracle like you say. Two years ago USC was 6-6 and last year they split the National Title. I know what I am about to say is what if's but they did lose games to Minnesota, Ohio State, and Northwestern in the last 5 mins of the game. Penn State played most of last year with Freshman and Sophomores on defense and 4 of the 5 OLineman that played last year will be back this year and next.

As for the coaching staff I think he has a pretty good one. They just hired Galen Hall to coach the offense. He was a former Florida coach and also coached in the NFL. I am very excited to see what he is going to do with the offense. In my opinion I think that Joe meddles too much and does not let his other coaches actually coach.

There are a few things that I believe contributed to the downfall the past few years. First was the players did not work as hard. They thought that since they were "Penn State" other teams would roll over and die. That wasnt about to happen. A lot of players were seen drinking during game weeks and not taking offseason workouts seriously. That isnt to mention all the off the field problem he has had to deal with lately.

Well put, Penn State should pretty much kiss his ass for what he's done for them - and it appears they are.

Not only on the football field but for the University too. How many other football coaches in the NCAA have a library named after him in which he donated the $5 million to build?

[WussGawd]

Not particularly a Penn State fan, but I've always admired Paterno.

That being said, I can see this working one of three ways:

1) They're doing this to try to answer questions potential recruits might have about when he's going to retire. There's nothing that'll kill a recruiting class quicker than having every other coach in the conference say to a recruit interested in your school that "you know he only has a year left on his contract, don't you." Trust me, I watched it happen in '92 to my Sun Devils, and I was about ready to personally throttle our AD at the time.

2) They know Joe Pa's retiring at the end of the year, and this is kind of a last vote of thanks. If so, it's well deserved.

3) They really think Joe Pa can turn it around (he can't), and your AD is an idiot.

4) Oops, said three, didn't I. Here's the other possibility. Five words: AD, Underage, drinking, twins, photos.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by WussGawd

Not particularly a Penn State fan, but I've always admired Paterno.

That being said, I can see this working one of three ways:

1) They're doing this to try to answer questions potential recruits might have about when he's going to retire. There's nothing that'll kill a recruiting class quicker than having every other coach in the conference say to a recruit interested in your school that "you know he only has a year left on his contract, don't you." Trust me, I watched it happen in '92 to my Sun Devils, and I was about ready to personally throttle our AD at the time.

2) They know Joe Pa's retiring at the end of the year, and this is kind of a last vote of thanks. If so, it's well deserved.

3) They really think Joe Pa can turn it around (he can't), and your AD is an idiot.

4) Oops, said three, didn't I. Here's the other possibility. Five words: AD, Underage, drinking, twins, photos.

After having lived there for a year I'd say it's #3

[rjolley]

If Curly and Parkhill are the ADs, it is #3.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I don't know for sure, but off-hand, I think this might just be the most absurd coaching extension I've ever seen anyone get in any sport at any level.

[hoosierdude]

I tend to agree with Jon here. It has been obvious for the last 3 years things were going downhill, and to give the man a 4 yr extension would be showing the ultimate respect for a man that gave them so many memories.

That being said, Joe needs to retire. I can see for recruiting purposes keeping on the sly that he retires after a winning season... but if I had a kid that was being recruited by PSU, I sure wouldn't let him go there until after JoePa was on his way to the HOF.

Sure, I would hate to be the coach that replaced JoePa at Happy Valley, but, man, the new coach couldn't do any worse than Paterno's team did last year.

[33sherman]

I think PSU will turn it aorund next year, go 8-3, and end up someplace like the Holiday Bowl, and Paterno will be the subject of lots of halftime reports about the big comeback. PSU had a big O-Line meltdown last year, and about eighty more dropped passes than usual. The recruiting is still solid.

[SFL Cat]

As others have said, PSU owes its football legacy to JoePa and this is the school's way of letting him leave on his terms. I think if the team has a winning season this fall, makes it to a bowl game. Jo Pa steps down.

Having been a Cowboys fan all my life, it was a bitter pill to swallow when Jerry Jones waltzed in and fired Tom Landry the way he did. In a way, I was almost glad to watch "hotshot" Jimmy Johnson waltz in and then go 1-15. Personally, I think it's great to see PSU doing it right for a change.

[JasonC23]

As an Iowa fan, I think back to the last few years of Hayden Fry's tenure, which were, to put it mildly, not so good. I think Iowa thanked him for everything and let him go at just the right time (or possibly a year too late, as he obviously left the program with nothing--witness Kirk Ferentz's first year, 1-10). It's hard to get rid of a legend, and JoePa is at least twice the legend Fry was, but I think it's better to do it before you hit rock bottom.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by JasonC23

As an Iowa fan, I think back to the last few years of Hayden Fry's tenure, which were, to put it mildly, not so good. I think Iowa thanked him for everything and let him go at just the right time (or possibly a year too late, as he obviously left the program with nothing--witness Kirk Ferentz's first year, 1-10). It's hard to get rid of a legend, and JoePa is at least twice the legend Fry was, but I think it's better to do it before you hit rock bottom.

In that case, I hope JoePa stays 20 more years.

[Kodos]

From Yahoo.

Bravo, Craig James!


Penn State did right by Paterno
by Craig James, Yahoo! Sports
May 26, 2004



Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us and we are a step closer to two-a-days for our student athletes. Penn State took the opportunity this spring to reward coach Joe Paterno with a contract extension. The new deal will keep Paterno under contract through the 2008 football season when the "young man" will be 81 years proud.

Is this a good decision on the school's part?

In case you don't remember, Joe Paterno is the second-winningest coach in the history of major-college football. His record stands at 339-109-3. Penn State has won two national championships with Paterno at the helm. Not a bad record.

But Paterno now coaches in an era of "what have you done for me lately?" And unfortunately for him, Penn State hasn't done much.

The Nittany Lions have endured losing records in three of the last four seasons. And last year the team posted a 1-7 record in conference play. The Big Ten no longer is in awe of those bland uniforms.

Do all these numbers add up to Paterno deserving a contract extension? I say absolutely. Penn State did the right thing.

I won't confuse you with big numbers, as in the amount of money raised by Paterno for the university. Just know that Paterno has raised millions for his school.

He also has shown a tremendous amount of loyalty to his school. The NFL came knocking on his door many years ago with a pot of money. The coach told them no thanks. Beyond these admirable personal traits, Paterno never has been in the NCAA doghouse.

If I were the one in charge of making the decision at PSU, I'd ask two questions: Can Joe Paterno still coach and can he still recruit?

If anybody out there thinks he or she knows more about football than Joe Pa, raise your hand. After playing seven seasons of professional football, I study lots of game tapes to this day and consider myself pretty knowledgeable about the game. But Paterno has forgotten more than I know about the game.

However, there is a big difference between knowing the game and knowing how to "adapt" to the current game of football. Football still is blocking and tackling. But how you coach a system and motivate a player has changed. While many people are questioning whether he still has it in him, the administration obviously thinks Paterno can do it.

And as for recruiting, the moms and dads around the country still know Paterno. They gladly would invite the coach into their home for a visit with their blue-chip son.

But does the recruit believe in Paterno? Does the family believe that Paterno will stay around for its son's entire career? We know that Paterno is not going to change schools, but he definitely could retire before this new deal matures.

This is the case throughout college football these days. I believe a kid going to Penn State is going because he loves the university and wants to graduate from there. It should be looked at as a bonus if he plays all four years for Paterno.

Penn State owes it to Paterno to let him stay around as long as he wants to coach. Nittany Lions fans need to remember that the Big Ten is tough week in and week out. This isn't the good old independent days.

Above and beyond it all, we need to realize that nobody loves Penn State more than Paterno. Joe Pa will know when it's time to move on.