Quite honestly, I don't think Joe has any sense of awareness (and hasn't for years). Many PSU fans have worried that he would say or do something to embarrass himself because it's obvious he lacks mental clarity on his surroundings (I never would have imagined this, though). One need look no further than his postgame press conferences and sideline interviews to see it, and it's been going on for years.
Obviously that doesn't excuse this situation and I don't think that this was the case in 2002 or 1998. But I do think it's an explanation for his actions this week. It's why he never should have been allowed to stick around this long.
I used to be his fan. It has been sad watching him the last few years. Even sadder watching him this past week. Even sadder knowing what has been going on at State College. I grew up in the South but the game we always watched was PSU-Alabama. The ultimate game for us was to have an undefeated PSU and and an undefeated Alabama play each other.