Three thoughts:
I love JoePa, but I’d love to see him retire on top.
Without a split offense of some variety, it is almost impossible to compete - which we do not have.
And I’d love to see a nationwide search for a top coach when JoePa retires, instead of appointing JayPa.
ampu ‘80
I think Joe’s health is much, much better than it has been the past few years. When the time comes though, my first choice would be Gruden. I think he is the only guy out there that could make us immediately relevant with every top recruit in the country.
Paterno should have retired several years ago.
He’s done great things for the PSU football program no doubt, and deserves the veneration of a true coaching legend. But there comes a time when you need to let the next generation take it.
A year or two ago I was watching a Penn State game and watched JoePa on the sidelines - no headset, no discussion with his assistants in the booth, no input into the game. One of the last plays of the game was a turnover, and the cameras focused on Paterno.. it was easy to lip-read. “What happened?” said Joe to no one in particular. No one in particular answered.
That’s when I came to the conclusion that Coach Paterno should retire.