Posted on 11/21/2008 9:20:16 PM PST by FlJoePa
With rumors of his retirement swirling about campus and throughout the country for days, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno told a pep rally at Rec Hall Friday night that he will return in 2009 "and run out of that tunnel next year."
The crowd of approximately 6,500 Penn State fans, some wearing "Joe Can't Go" t-shirts, roared its approval. The players for the No. 8 Nittany Lions (10-1), who can win at least a share of the Big Ten Conference championship and a Rose Bowl bid by defeating No. 15 Michigan State (9-2) on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, joined in the celebration as well.
Paterno, 81, stood and spoke for 15 minutes without the cane he has used since injuring his right hip earlier this season. He has acknowledged recently that he needs hip replacement surgery and will undergo it soon, perhaps as early as next week.
Paterno said at his weekly news conference Tuesday that "I expect to be back on the field" next season. However, Nittany Lion fans around the country have continued to speculate that Paterno would announce after the game Saturday that he would retire. One rumor said Paterno would make the announcement at a dinner Saturday night that many of his former players would attend.
Penn State quarterback coach Jay Paterno said Thursday night that his father's plan for Saturday night would be as follows: "He'll go home, have an Old Grand-Dad on the rocks and watch games."
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Not this year they can’t. But Dantonio has turned this program around. MSU will be a leading contender next year for the Big Ten title. Wish that it was Penn State going to the Rose Bowl instead of OSU. I love Joe Pa.
Ummm...PSU is the one going to the Rose Bowl - at worst. Your coach Dantonio didn’t act in the classiest of manners in the waning moments of that game.
He called 2 timeouts with 9 seconds to play to try to score more points against PSU walk ons to try to lessen the beat down he just experienced.
Nothing changes. Anything with “michigan” in it’s name has no class.
Oh please. You can’t even win graciously. He was giving his team some experience for crying out loud. PSU wins by how many points and you’re *complaining* a coach was trying to help his team come out with a little pride left? You’re a joke.
Did JoePa support Obama this year?!? I always thought he was a big conservative. I hope he’s not getting senile in his old age - I’ve always loved JoePa.
I can settle this for all of you. Penn St. is the best team in the Big 10 this year. That being said, the Big 10 is an overrated conference and has been steadily going downhill for about the past 7-8 years or so. Michigan is a laughing stock nowadays, and while Ohio St. will put together a decent regular season (against suspect opponents) they typically get creamed in the post-season. Penn St., Mich St., & Ohio St. would likely get beat down by Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Mizzou, Florida, or USC.
Penn State quarterback coach Jay Paterno said Thursday night that his father’s plan for Saturday night would be as follows: “He’ll go home, have an Old Grand-Dad on the rocks and watch games.
Whew!
I got nailed real hard by Old Grand Dad when I was seventeen. Haven’t tasted it since. Went to Southern Comfort instead.
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