Posted on 05/13/2004 5:12:28 PM PDT by FlJoePa
Paterno Gets Four-Year Contract Extension
DAN LEWERENZ
Associated Press
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - 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.
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."
Athletic director Tim Curley said Paterno's decades of success were given more weight than the recent slump.
"We certainly looked overall and very much felt that we wanted him to continue," Curley said. "We're really excited about the current squad members and the incoming group that we've got coming in. We don't think we're that far away."
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 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.
It's better to exit gracefully and leave the fans wanting more than to over-stay your welcome. Just ask Eddie Robinson and "Bear" Bryant.
There are ups and downs to having a legend as a head coach.
No kidding. I just don't know what the man would do with himself if he retired, though.
I understand there are two sides to this issue, but it is refreshing to see loyalty and respect come into play during sports contract negotiations. Paterno has devoted most of his life to Penn State and it is nice to see them honor that and keep him around despite him not being at the top of his game in recent years. Let him spend his twighlight years doing something he loves irregardless of the win loss record. He's earned it, and Penn State fans will be glad they did it after he is gone.
I'll be the first naysayer, and eat the crow if the Lions win next year. Joe isn't going to fix much at 78 that he couldn't do at 77. It's time to let go.
ping
I don't think that NCAA Division I sports necessarily exist in order to satisfy the personal whims of individual coaches.
Being a Penn Stater since Joe began I fear that he is not only past his prime, but lacking the capacity to maintain the Penn State tradition. Where is Linebacker U.? Hate to bad mouth Joe, he has given us much and he has no reason to base his decision on any one year. But, coaches are there to win, and at Penn State it is fair to ask if he has delivered. Let's not wait for another Woody Hayes tackle from the sidelines to figure that Joe's time is up. It hurts to make that comparison. Joe just hasn't made the moves for a transition that can continue the Blue-White tradition. Joe, we love ya, but it might be time to move on, as difficult as that might be.
I see your point, however, that is exactly what made him great, he never quit.
More significantly, I'd imagine he has one of the highest player graduation rates in college football.
They were in every game but MSU last year. They just didn't win any. Maybe they'll catch a break or two this season.
He did have a slight slump a few years previous to that time.
Bryant and Robinson didn't wait until their teams were on their last legs. They chose to exit the game in the most graceful way possible.
Even though I'm not a big fan of Jim Brown, I found his retirement from the NFL during the prime of his career to be a remarkable statement. He could have played another decade and would still probably hold most of the NFL's top rushing records, and yet he chose to leave the game while he was still on top.
IMO, Jim Brown was one of the greatest players and one of the most disgustingly evil people.
If Paterno had any real friends they would be telling him it is time to retire. There is no way he is going to recruit well enough to be a factor in the Big-10.
At least he isn't saddling Penn State with nepotism ala the Bowdens at Florida State.
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