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Penn State wants Paterno exit plan

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Joe Paterno, in the final year of his latest contract, is on the verge of overstaying his welcome. By all accounts, Penn State wants him to come to some decision about when he will retire. It's a fair request, considering his age, but one, as near as can be determined, Paterno wants no part of doing. There's another issue in this discussion: Competence. And we're not talking about Paterno's won-loss record. We're talking about his abdication of the day-to-day operations of the football program. Paterno says he gets more work done at home. Recruiting is another area of concern. As near as can be determined, Paterno made one recruiting visit this year. No one at Penn State, not even the most maverick board of trustees member, wants to push Paterno out the door tomorrow. He will coach in 2008 and, if he wants, '09. But there is a line being drawn after that point, and understandably so.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Joe Paterno, Scott Halleran/Getty Images Joe Paterno, Scott Halleran/Getty Images
March 26, 2008  06:23 AM ET

As an older PSU Alum, JoePa is the face of PSU Football, and I can't image the the program without him. I understand that this is his life and identity. Walking away from it would be the hardest thing he could do (ask Brett Farve). So I understand his reluctance.

But I do think its fair to announce some sort of transition. I would prefer it be on his terms and not forced. I do think it is hurting recruiting with not knowing what is going to happen.

As for wins/losses, that is not, and should not, be the concern, as there is no guarantee that his replacement will have a winning record.

March 26, 2008  07:02 AM ET

They should handle this just like Florida State. Fire Jay and announce a transition plan to Tom Bradley.

March 26, 2008  08:08 AM ET

I've been a supporter of Joe staying as long as he wants but i'm starting to change my mind.

Penn State had a better team than their record last year. After watching Joe refuse to bench Morelli, pick Scott over Royster (if Scott didn't get into trouble, we wouldn't have seen Royster), plain vanilla play calling (until the bowl game, beyond a day late and a dollar short), and now seeing both OSU & Pitt (where only 20k people show up on game day) out-recruit us, i'm really mad.

March 26, 2008  08:11 AM ET

When has PSU ever out-recuited OSU? Even Cooper was out-recruiting JoePa back in the day....he just couldn't finish the job with any of that talent.

March 26, 2008  08:36 AM ET

I think he meant to say "outrecruit PSU in PA."

March 26, 2008  08:40 AM ET

Yes, in PA. And Marino - before we joined the Big 10 we may have out-recruited OSU, I don't have the stats though so who knows.

March 26, 2008  09:19 AM ET

Get out Joe. You're too old dadgummit!!!!

March 26, 2008  09:22 AM ET

It is Penn States call to make. They should make a final decision and live with it either way. They want him to retire so they do not have to take any responsibility. They know the time has come for him to go, and they want him gone. The school should put up or shut up. Say stay and we are behind you, or go and thanks for the memories. Personal opinion, it is time to move on....show some guts..

March 26, 2008  09:35 AM ET

When he dies just have him stuffed and put him on the sidelines. That way he never has to leave. Just make sure to take him inside when it rains.

March 26, 2008  10:12 AM ET

Ok. My mistake about the in-state recruits. Nationally though it was probably pretty close in the early 90's, but definitely not a situation where you could say PSU clearly outrecruited OSU, though you may be able to make a case for the other way around. There's Eddie and Ki-Jana...edge OSU, Collins and Hoying...edge PSU. Terry Glenn and.....? O.J. McDuffie maybe? Katzenmoyer was a huge recruit...Big Daddy...Vrabel....Springs...Pace...

March 26, 2008  10:14 AM ET

Bobby...Bobby...Bobby!!!

March 26, 2008  10:40 AM ET

This is simple. Just tell him the day he has to start wearing adult diapers is the day he has to step down.

It's obvious that Joe wants to coach until he dies on the sidelines. Coaching is probably what keeps him going day after day. You take it away from him, his life is over.

But, the question is what's good for the team? Is Joe still coaching good for the team? Not sure Joe asks himself that question.

March 26, 2008  10:53 AM ET

Hey Warden I heard UM lost their starting guard, kid from ohio..
any idea what happened?

March 26, 2008  10:57 AM ET

Can't blame the man for wanting no part in this, the man has been at PSU longer than I can remember. Just let the man couch the team and let him retire when he is good and ready to.

March 26, 2008  11:10 AM ET

84,

All I know is that legacy Justin Boren has opted to leave the team (his Dad played for Bo and his younger brother is being recruited by UM though that might be over now). RR's philosophy is to talk "only about Michigan players" so he won't go into details. Don't know if it was an issue of not getting along with the new coaches or not wanting to be part of a hurry up offense. But this stings hard because he was the only guy with experience on the O line. The good news is that there will be a lot of experience gained by guys who haven't played. The bad news is that the O-line is going to get roughed up. God help who ever become the QB.

March 26, 2008  11:31 AM ET

I couldnt believe you guys lost another veteran, I heard about it from a guy I do some work with from Pickerington where he played ball...
Is RR trying to get rid of everyone from last year, I've heard of a rehaul, but geeze...

March 26, 2008  11:38 AM ET

JoPA is definitely a legend in this sport, hell in sports period. But, I think requesting an exit plan is in the best interest of the program and possibly even for Paterno. If he is only making one recruting trip per year, that is NOT good.

March 26, 2008  11:45 AM ET

Ok. My mistake about the in-state recruits. Nationally though it was probably pretty close in the early 90's, but definitely not a situation where you could say PSU clearly outrecruited OSU, though you may be able to make a case for the other way around. There's Eddie and Ki-Jana...edge OSU, Collins and Hoying...edge PSU. Terry Glenn and.....? O.J. McDuffie maybe? Katzenmoyer was a huge recruit...Big Daddy...Vrabel....Springs...Pace...
marino4530 | 03/26/08, 10:12 AM

Engram? Brady?

March 26, 2008  11:46 AM ET

OT POST to 84

I am surprised there hasn't been more attrition!

Look, RR is radically changing UM football and how it prepares. THE LC era players are not use to the S&C regimen and the demands that RR is putting upon them. In many ways, this is just like what Bo did when he became coach in '69.

RR knows what he has to do because in the end, it's all about drinking OSU's milkshake in November and beyond! :P

 
March 26, 2008  12:24 PM ET

Joe Paterno IS Penn State. He decides when and where he exits - NOBODY ELSE !!! Savvy ???

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