Let me make it clear. I am an objective observer to the Penn State University football program. I do not love/like nor do I dislike/hate the Nittany Lions program. And the same could have been said for head coach Joe Paterno up until two years ago when he defended a Florida State player accused of sexual assault and questioned the accuser during a press conference for a bowl game. At that point I began to question this guy's character, his sanity, and his mental capacity. I chalked it up as a stupid mistake and figured he would wise up.
Then the fine folks at ESPN kept a great week of ratings alive with tonight's piece about the Nittany Lions' problems off the field and what Paterno is doing about it. I am not giving a recap of it so I hope you have seen it to understand where I am coming from here with what is below.
After what I just watched on ESPN this evening, that's it folks. Joe Paterno must be released immediately even with camps about to begin nation wide. For those of you who watched SportsCenter tonight and the Outside the Lines story on Penn State players' increasing legal troubles and how Paterno is handling it all, I would assume you agree with me. Ofcourse if you're a Penn State fan you may be thinking I'm out of my mind to suggest to parting ways with a legend just days before another training camp is to begin. But Lions fans and others who disagree with me, put aside the football concerns for the moment (I know, pretty tough to do on July 29, I'm sorry) and think about what you just saw and heard from Paterno himself in that interview. I am the first to say ESPN has a way to twist things and make people look worse. But that was not the case here. Imagine you are the father interviewed in the piece, whose son was attacked by players and Paterno gave you the response he did as described by the father. Paterno was sickening, and clearly an embarassment/liability to any college president with an ounce of intelligence and integrity.
Don't get me wrong folks. I am not reacting to the stories regarding these players attacking and assaulting people at PSU. That crap unfortunately goes on everywhere these days. I would be a fool to think my USC Trojans are all complete angels. The point here is the public reaction from Joe Paterno in front of ESPN cameras with a chance to address this correctly or at least pretend to care. For those who saw this, you should realize he did not do this. He laughed it off. Plenty of coaches have had questionable responses to their players' off-field troubles. But none I have seen publicly brushed it aside like Paterno did in this piece.
It's clear to me, if Penn State University is an upstanding institution with integrity it will explain to this legend of the sport, unfortunately for everyone it is time to go. And start courting Greg Schiano for 2009 immediatley...
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Comments (8) Add A Comment
I agree. I do not defend players that due wrong. If they are wrong they are wrong.
Nolesdominate2008
Madison , FL
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Great blog Keith.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
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Thanks Cassidy. I'm sure if more than 15 people read this, I will be getting heavily abused soon here in comments, as usual.
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
As a huge Penn State fan, I agree to a very small extent. He is not the man that he used to be, but he can't be fired now. Force him out the door after the season is over. I have been saying that I wanted us to bring in Schiano for over two years now, but my guess is that Tom Bradley will end up getting the job. I wouldn't have a problem with that, either. Both are brilliant football minds and very good recruiters. Bradley is one of the best(if not the best) defensive coordinators in the game.
Bigdleech
Total Comments (9974)
With dignity in hand Coach Paterno could walk away now and remain a legend at PSU. To remain the Head Football Coach at PSU is not putting Coach Paterno in good favor with many fans that follow the Nittany Lions. Ego, arrogance and selfish are words now being used today to address this legendary coach. The longer Coach Paterno stays, the worst it makes him look in this fans opinion. I know of one Coach that was in a similar situation and his name was Woodey Hayes. Let's hope that history is kinder to Coach Paterno.
blue balls
Total Comments (171)
blue balls and Bigdleech, just realize I'm basing this opinion on the story on ESPN and Paterno's response to this stuff. Did either of you see what I am talking about? Just curious? Thanks for reading.
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
Keith...Good blog.
The response from JoePa was that of a man who is used to control. Control of his team, his coaches, his administration, & the media in State College. He is not accustomed to having to explain negativity surrounding his program. The last few years have changed that. JoePa's legacy is at stake....and he knows it.
I don't like Joe Paterno for reasons beyond myself being a Pitt fan. Even growing up as a Pitt fan, I respected both Paterno and the Lions program. After living in PSU country for the last 20 years and working in a capacity that allowed me insights into the Lions program that the average fan doesn't know....that has changed.
If i were a Lions fan....Tom Bradley taking over the program could not come too soon. Bradley is a man of integrity & charisma who also happens to be a terrific coach & recruiter. Personally, I hope Schiano jumps the Rutgers ship and gets the Lions job. Bradley would leave and barring a desireable head coaching offer, I could see him taking over as DC at Pitt. That would be the hope of many Pitt fans.
Last Call
Barstool, PA
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Kieth, I did not see the program, but I intended to. If it pops up somewhere on a website, I would likely watch it then.
Bigdleech
Total Comments (9974)
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