I apologize for saying this, but there's nothing distinguished about the end of this "run"...
Let us hope that those we love-whether it be at work or at home-who surround us won't let our hubris and pride get the better of us.
Unfortunately for those around Paterno, his own son included, they've allowed it to completely consume him.
It's sad, I agree...But for a completely different reason.
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
I agree with you and Kevin. My wife is an Occupational Therapist and is trained, educated and experienced to deal with the elderly suffering physical ailments, dementia, etc. But, in spite of all that, she still allowed her emotions to cloud her judgment when it came to her own mother.
Sad doesn't even begin to describe situations like this.
PrinceMarko
· 1 year ago
Status: Paterno is ancient, he's a walking corpse.
Regan
· 1 year ago
Still walking, still winning...
Jacob
· 1 year ago
PrinceMarko,
For what it's worth, that ancient walking corpse has Penn State in the National title hunt...AGAIN. Let's move up to Anne Arbor-- How's your youngster Rich Rodriguez doin? Riiiight.. i'll take our loyal grandpa coach and you can have your young, overrated West Virginia guy.. We'll see how things work out next week.
PrinceMarko
· 1 year ago
And Penn State has beaten Michigan last when??? 9 years ago? Penn State was undefeated before... we took care of that then and will take care for that now.
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
There's one other thing I'd like to add. There is absolutely a zero possibility of JoePa retiring in the middle of the season while Penn State is in the hunt for a National Championship. Any other coach? Probably. But someone who's been at Penn State as long as JoePa has and with the career win record on the line? No way. Again, with the National Title on the line, they'll wheel him onto the sidelines on a gurney with an IV stuck in his arm if they have to.
If PSU loses a game or two in the Big (10)11 and the National Title game is gone, along with the Big (10)11 title, then yeah, you could convince me he might retire if his physical ailments get the better of him.
What's obvious is he's no longer running the show. In the last game, the team didn't huddle up with him while discussing strategy while he was on the sideline. They're not even trying to obfuscate that anymore.
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
"...Any other coach? Probably..."
Seriously? Who would retire in the middle of a NC run, unless it was absolutely necessary? I can't think of anyone; I know I wouldn't.
I'll agree with the other aspect of it though; if he's not in a NC run, it will be much more likely that he retires mid season...but you can't fault they guy for wanting to ride out a NC run--certainly can't make it seem like he'd be the only one (even in the minority). I ain't buyin that bit.
GO GATORS!!
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
"Seriously? Who would retire in the middle of a NC run, unless it was absolutely necessary?"
The absolutely necessary part is where we agree. How about the word "possibly", rather than "probably"?
My point is, Joe Paterno is no longer just the Head Coach of Penn State. The man is an institution, in the same regard as Bear Bryant is thought of immediately when Alabama is mentioned, or as Woody Hayes is thought of immediately when Ohio State is mentioned.
No other coach today has this additional factor involved. Except for maybe Bobby Bowden.
"...but you can't fault they guy for wanting to ride out a NC run--certainly can't make it seem like he'd be the only one (even in the minority). I ain't buyin that bit."
I wasn't trying to make that point. I agree with you there.
Zac
· 1 year ago
I don't think he'll retire. I think he'll be walking the side-line, or sitting in the both, or on his way from or to a locker room just long enough to shake that finger at someone he knows. Without warning, he'll fall over, just like Frank Gathers, doing what he loves.
If that doesn't happen this year, he'll hang on long enough for it to happen next year. College football: It's in his blood; it's what he lives for. JMO.
Gatorader
· 1 year ago
First off, didn't Penn State have a great season two years ago? Aren't they having a pretty good year this year? That is pretty distinguished.
Second, why force a guy to retire when he obviously doesn't want to. What else is he going to do? When people have a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning, they can live a lot longer then when they have nothing to occupy their time. I look forward to the day when the guy croaks on the sideline and they bury him under the 50 yard line.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
The dude is straight up The Electric Horseman life imitating art...
Just can't figure out whether he's Sonny Steele, or Rising Star...
If you think he's had a hand in anything in specific to that football program in YEARS, you're dreaming...
He hasn't called a play or made a crucial decision in a long while...
He's more akin to a "Coach Emeritus" than a Head Coach...
Seriously, this is sad, folks...
There's a time to let go, and he's about five years past it...
To give him credit for these wins is a damn disgrace, and its completely ego-driven on his part...
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
What the do you base this on, TE?
You've made it clear on multiple occasions that you hate JoPa; you levy countless accusations against the guy, riducule, mock and disrespect him. I've never said anything, because while I do respect his accomplishments, he ain't "my guy" so to speak--so I never really felt compelled to get involved. But in a thread about the cruel reality of aging taking its toll on a legend...it begs some more candor on your part, lest your consistent lambasting of the guy (a vertiable legend) be perceived--and duly dismissed-- as some sort of personal vendetta, sour grapes, or somesuch.
So how about disclosing your basis for all these conclusions, and while your at it, disclose the motivation for dragging his name through the mud....or kindly leave well enough alone.
GO GATORS!!
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
TG:
So eloquent wording has never been spoken before. And, gee, I thought that I was the heartless SOB. Great post. Fact is: Joe Paterno's whole life has been devoted to Penn State football. He would die sooner if he hadn't had it to run. He is the architect of Penn State. He has hired all of the great assistant coaches that are doing such a great job. They should all be "hot commodities". But they have learned to be loyal and patient from Joe Paterno. He has built the entire staff, who may have recruited all the talent, therefore he is entitled to take the wins. Not much different than any ancient CEO at any institution.
Zac
· 1 year ago
Tommy T, I couldn't have said it better than either you or TG. Bravo!!!
NMLSooner
· 1 year ago
What proof do you have to make a statement like that. And don't give me that you see what he does on gameday crap. Even during Lombardi's heyday, his players joked he was worthless on gamedays. And that was during a period with fewer coaches and less specialization. He could be very involved in strategy and other matters during the week. We don't know.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
All I can say is that Urban Meyer is very heavily involved in both recruiting, playcalling, and decision making on gamedays...
Les Miles didn't let Crowton go for it 5 times on 4th down last year...
Head Coaches are more than figureheads...They are CEO's.
Joe Torre didn't let Mel Stottlemeyre make every pitching change...He wasn't a figurehead in Yankee Stadium. He was an icon who affected and influenced the game, himself...
I want ANY of you to show me where he has...
Say what you want...But he's there because Bowden's still there, and he's after some silly, stupid personal record...
If he truly loved Penn State, he would've gone the way of Barry Alvarez and found a competent replacement for himself long, long ago. Instead, he's out there like an old Scarecrow...
I'm sorry, but he's no head coach...He's a joke that gets trotted out for old times sake, the name factor, and that's IT. He doesn't affect the game ONE IOTA while he's out there...Period...
Zac
· 1 year ago
TE, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if there exists some small motivating factor in the form of a stubborn northeast guinzo's one-up-manship over an equally stubborn southern good-ole-boy, and vice-versa. (By the way, Gator-Hippy feels the same way you do. He and I debated this once a few moons back.) I personally feel the two men, Bowden & Paterno, love the game too much to walk away from it. They love it so much they don't even care if they go out winners, though I'm certain it's their preference, for the sake of their players.
As for Paterno's impact on the game, I vehemently disagree. Every player and coach on the opposing team knows he's over their walking that side-line, or at least up in that booth. That in-of-itself has some impact, however slight. Do you think for one minute that Pete Carol, Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, or even Charlie Weiss is at all bothered by the fact the Les Miles is walking the Tiger's sideline? I'll put it to you this way; their players don't even give a $hit. But I'm willing to bet a case of your favorite brewski, were LSU to play Penn St, at one time or another quite a few of them would be watching the ole man on the other side. That's impact, my friend.
So, is this blasted record which has come up between Bowden & Paterno THE motivating factor that keeps em go'n? I personally don't believe it. Could it be having some impact in their motivation? This I cannot discount. That said, I still maintain it's their love of the game that keeps them going. After all, and Paterno said it best, "What else am I gonna do at my age, hunt?"
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
"...Head Coaches are more than figureheads...They are CEO's..."
...and CEO's are measured by their day to day micro-managment decisions, not strategic moves involving personnel, policy, or direction, right?
I guess those types of decisions are reserved for coaching assistants, because head coaches are too busy deciding which play to call during games.
b/t/w: "....he's out there like an old Scarecrow...he's no head coach...He's a joke that gets trotted out for old times sake..."
Again, why? is this necessary? appropriate? Age will take care of it's business in due course, as it's apparently doing--why the need to shovel dirt on (and perhaps in) the man's coffin, before he's even in it? why the urge to piss on the gravestone before it's been set?
Hence I reitierate--let well enough alone. There are plenty of other issues where this sort of talk is fine; it just reeks of poor taste here.
GO GATORS!!
1Tomcat
· 1 year ago
TampaGator I totally agree and have enjoyed your post, truth is aint none of us getting any younger. We had a man in this town who owned the local cattle auction.Its what he had done for years and years and its what he enjoyed and what he lived for.He fought with the resistance against the Germans after his plane was shot down in Europe. This man had a lot of pride and dignaty. His age took it toll over the years and it got to were he really couldnt perform his job in the same capacity anymore, this really affected the business and his son took over, heck it wasnt long and that old man was gone. Look as long as PSU is winning ole Joe Pa has paid his dues and as his health declines let him continue from the golf cart or press box, whatever. Its what he lives for and looks foward to everyday. It would probably kill him to quit, or be forced to quit. Guys like ole TE aint gonna be young forever and some of these old guys are heros in my book, you better learn from them while they are still here.
Don Maxwell
· 1 year ago
Trojan fan this man embodies college football like no other living soul today. what JoPA ' has accomplished in the past and in the present is something that should be respected by all college fans. In the entire history of college football there is mayby a hand full of coaches that were truly great and in my estimation JoPa deserves to be #1 on that list
TheMayor
· 1 year ago
TE
"Sonny Steele or Rising Star"...that's hysterical. I haven't been to a rattlesnake round up but I do shop at Bloomingbirds occassionally.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
My favorite part of that movie:
Hallie: Mr. Steele, why were you 45 minutes late to the press confrence?
Sonny Steele: Well, I'd like to aplogize for that. I was giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to a bottle of tequila. And, we lost her too.
CFB fan
· 1 year ago
Joe Pa will retire soon.
USC1801
· 1 year ago
Immense respect. Great accomplishments. Embodies college football. Yeah, but there comes a time when regardless of the past, you have to move on.
He reminds me of Strom Thurmond, the 100 yr. old SC politician - not willing to relinquish his office. Frankly, it was embarrasing to watch an aged man in failing health cling to a job that had long since past him by. Pathetic comes to mind. I'm afraid Joe Paterno is going to hang in there in much the same way and end up losing his dignity and reputation.
Lions89
· 1 year ago
With all due respect to Sr. Thurmond, Joe has and is at the top of his game. His poorer coaching years in the early 2000s were seen as his last, but tenacious as he is, brought back pride to the Nittany Lions with spectacular seasons in 2007 and now 2008. Is Joe washed up? No. He is a part of college football legend that will live on well after we are all gone. What he has accomplished at one school, with a singular focus on academics and producing quality "kids". Yes, he has had setbacks. He works with teenagers. You would too. He has been there for 66 years! The man deserves respect whether he sits in the press-box or prowls the sidelines. You guys with your big mouths, I wish you could accomplish such good as Joe has for his staff, his family, his students and his university over 66 years!
Zac
· 1 year ago
The "ole man" and his team didn't do so well against WI, did they? (Insert sarcasm as ye see fit.)
PenSt8lion
· 1 year ago
One point that never gets mentioned in the Bowden/Paterno 'wins' duel is that more than a few of Bobby Bowden's wins came at the expense of junior colleges. If they actually counted division I wins versus division I wins, there would be no contest and JoPa could retire knowing that Bobby Bowden had no chance of catching him. I have never understood why the count has not been altered to reflect the number of non-division I wins that Bowden has.
You can argue whether Joe's wins over some of the hapless Pgh. Panther teams of the early 70's for example, or the Lou Holtz N C State teams were all that tough to get, but you can't argue that all of Joe's wins came at the expense of division one opponents.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
What if, what if, what if. Dude... you're arguing semantics. Two of the greatest coaches of all-time and worry about what color socks they're wearing. Nice.
1Tomcat
· 1 year ago
Bobby white tube socks with garnet & gold stripes, Joe Pa black with garters
Bulls Pit
· 1 year ago
"JoePa has no control over that program, but now that they are winning, apparently all is forgiven. Unless they lose." blogs.tampabay.com/bullspit
CFB University
· 1 year ago
The Great Experiment has been achieved. Graduate your football players and be a winning team. That makes Penn State the winningest University on both levels in CFB history, all due to one man. No matter what team you are a fan of we should all show respect because every program in any conference can point to one coach. Joe Paterno.
All Comments
Let us hope that those we love-whether it be at work or at home-who surround us won't let our hubris and pride get the better of us.
Unfortunately for those around Paterno, his own son included, they've allowed it to completely consume him.
It's sad, I agree...But for a completely different reason.
Sad doesn't even begin to describe situations like this.
For what it's worth, that ancient walking corpse has Penn State in the National title hunt...AGAIN. Let's move up to Anne Arbor-- How's your youngster Rich Rodriguez doin? Riiiight.. i'll take our loyal grandpa coach and you can have your young, overrated West Virginia guy.. We'll see how things work out next week.
If PSU loses a game or two in the Big (10)11 and the National Title game is gone, along with the Big (10)11 title, then yeah, you could convince me he might retire if his physical ailments get the better of him.
What's obvious is he's no longer running the show. In the last game, the team didn't huddle up with him while discussing strategy while he was on the sideline. They're not even trying to obfuscate that anymore.
Seriously? Who would retire in the middle of a NC run, unless it was absolutely necessary? I can't think of anyone; I know I wouldn't.
I'll agree with the other aspect of it though; if he's not in a NC run, it will be much more likely that he retires mid season...but you can't fault they guy for wanting to ride out a NC run--certainly can't make it seem like he'd be the only one (even in the minority). I ain't buyin that bit.
GO GATORS!!
The absolutely necessary part is where we agree. How about the word "possibly", rather than "probably"?
My point is, Joe Paterno is no longer just the Head Coach of Penn State. The man is an institution, in the same regard as Bear Bryant is thought of immediately when Alabama is mentioned, or as Woody Hayes is thought of immediately when Ohio State is mentioned.
No other coach today has this additional factor involved. Except for maybe Bobby Bowden.
"...but you can't fault they guy for wanting to ride out a NC run--certainly can't make it seem like he'd be the only one (even in the minority). I ain't buyin that bit."
I wasn't trying to make that point. I agree with you there.
If that doesn't happen this year, he'll hang on long enough for it to happen next year. College football: It's in his blood; it's what he lives for. JMO.
Second, why force a guy to retire when he obviously doesn't want to. What else is he going to do? When people have a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning, they can live a lot longer then when they have nothing to occupy their time. I look forward to the day when the guy croaks on the sideline and they bury him under the 50 yard line.
Just can't figure out whether he's Sonny Steele, or Rising Star...
If you think he's had a hand in anything in specific to that football program in YEARS, you're dreaming...
He hasn't called a play or made a crucial decision in a long while...
He's more akin to a "Coach Emeritus" than a Head Coach...
Seriously, this is sad, folks...
There's a time to let go, and he's about five years past it...
To give him credit for these wins is a damn disgrace, and its completely ego-driven on his part...
You've made it clear on multiple occasions that you hate JoPa; you levy countless accusations against the guy, riducule, mock and disrespect him. I've never said anything, because while I do respect his accomplishments, he ain't "my guy" so to speak--so I never really felt compelled to get involved. But in a thread about the cruel reality of aging taking its toll on a legend...it begs some more candor on your part, lest your consistent lambasting of the guy (a vertiable legend) be perceived--and duly dismissed-- as some sort of personal vendetta, sour grapes, or somesuch.
So how about disclosing your basis for all these conclusions, and while your at it, disclose the motivation for dragging his name through the mud....or kindly leave well enough alone.
GO GATORS!!
So eloquent wording has never been spoken before. And, gee, I thought that I was the heartless SOB. Great post. Fact is: Joe Paterno's whole life has been devoted to Penn State football. He would die sooner if he hadn't had it to run. He is the architect of Penn State. He has hired all of the great assistant coaches that are doing such a great job. They should all be "hot commodities". But they have learned to be loyal and patient from Joe Paterno. He has built the entire staff, who may have recruited all the talent, therefore he is entitled to take the wins. Not much different than any ancient CEO at any institution.
Les Miles didn't let Crowton go for it 5 times on 4th down last year...
Head Coaches are more than figureheads...They are CEO's.
Joe Torre didn't let Mel Stottlemeyre make every pitching change...He wasn't a figurehead in Yankee Stadium. He was an icon who affected and influenced the game, himself...
I want ANY of you to show me where he has...
Say what you want...But he's there because Bowden's still there, and he's after some silly, stupid personal record...
If he truly loved Penn State, he would've gone the way of Barry Alvarez and found a competent replacement for himself long, long ago. Instead, he's out there like an old Scarecrow...
I'm sorry, but he's no head coach...He's a joke that gets trotted out for old times sake, the name factor, and that's IT. He doesn't affect the game ONE IOTA while he's out there...Period...
As for Paterno's impact on the game, I vehemently disagree. Every player and coach on the opposing team knows he's over their walking that side-line, or at least up in that booth. That in-of-itself has some impact, however slight. Do you think for one minute that Pete Carol, Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel, or even Charlie Weiss is at all bothered by the fact the Les Miles is walking the Tiger's sideline? I'll put it to you this way; their players don't even give a $hit. But I'm willing to bet a case of your favorite brewski, were LSU to play Penn St, at one time or another quite a few of them would be watching the ole man on the other side. That's impact, my friend.
So, is this blasted record which has come up between Bowden & Paterno THE motivating factor that keeps em go'n? I personally don't believe it. Could it be having some impact in their motivation? This I cannot discount. That said, I still maintain it's their love of the game that keeps them going. After all, and Paterno said it best, "What else am I gonna do at my age, hunt?"
...and CEO's are measured by their day to day micro-managment decisions, not strategic moves involving personnel, policy, or direction, right?
I guess those types of decisions are reserved for coaching assistants, because head coaches are too busy deciding which play to call during games.
b/t/w: "....he's out there like an old Scarecrow...he's no head coach...He's a joke that gets trotted out for old times sake..."
Again, why? is this necessary? appropriate? Age will take care of it's business in due course, as it's apparently doing--why the need to shovel dirt on (and perhaps in) the man's coffin, before he's even in it? why the urge to piss on the gravestone before it's been set?
Hence I reitierate--let well enough alone. There are plenty of other issues where this sort of talk is fine; it just reeks of poor taste here.
GO GATORS!!
"Sonny Steele or Rising Star"...that's hysterical. I haven't been to a rattlesnake round up but I do shop at Bloomingbirds occassionally.
Hallie: Mr. Steele, why were you 45 minutes late to the press confrence?
Sonny Steele: Well, I'd like to aplogize for that. I was giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to a bottle of tequila. And, we lost her too.
He reminds me of Strom Thurmond, the 100 yr. old SC politician - not willing to relinquish his office. Frankly, it was embarrasing to watch an aged man in failing health cling to a job that had long since past him by. Pathetic comes to mind. I'm afraid Joe Paterno is going to hang in there in much the same way and end up losing his dignity and reputation.
You can argue whether Joe's wins over some of the hapless Pgh. Panther teams of the early 70's for example, or the Lou Holtz N C State teams were all that tough to get, but you can't argue that all of Joe's wins came at the expense of division one opponents.
blogs.tampabay.com/bullspit