JoePa's Last Home Game?

Joe Paterno

Penn State plays Michigan State this weekend in Happy Valley, in what could be Joe Paterno’s final home game. There has been a lot of debate on wether this is in fact Joe’s last season as Head Coach of Penn State football. Much like the US Presidency, Joe gets a new contract every four years. The only difference is he has had a lot more then two terms. But this is the final year on his most current deal and there hasn’t been a new contract just yet. So is this it for Joe Paterno? I think if there was a time to go, now might be the best time for him and the program.

Hard to Criticize

To see my reasoning, let’s look at the reasons Joe should stay. First the man is Penn State football and everyone agrees he should go out on his own terms. Second, he is a great man and has turned into a loved do no wrong grandfather figure. And lastly, over the past 4 years he has won 3 bowl games and is on the brink of his second Rose Bowl berth. So…what are the reasons he should go? First of all is his health, he hasn’t been on the sidelines for over a month now and after seeing him get hit at Wisconsin (in person) I don’t think it is very safe for him down there. Second, how involved is he in the actual game management? I am not sure anyone outside the program really knows. And finally, does he still have the edge to want to compete for a national championship? I think the 60-90’s JoePa doesn’t even come close to losing at Iowa and wouldn’t have let a team with a bye go on the road so unprepared.

As Iconic as the Lion Shrine?

You Bet!

So depending on your thought process you could go either way. Being loyal is a noble thing, and I bet Michigan wishes they were a little more loyal to Lloyd Carr right now. But, how can you make a solid transition from a JoePa led Penn State Program to one without him. My answer is you have to create a position for him. Obviously Joe loves coaching and teaching his players. That is something the program doesn’t want to lose or at least shouldn’t want to lose. Also his presence helps recruiting, so if you let him go, do you have as strong of a recruiting program. If Penn State was creative they should give someone inside the program the Interim Head Coach title and JoePa some kind of Head of the Football Program title. I assume Tom Bradley would become the new Head Coach at some point, but an Interim tag would lend for a tryout/transition away from the Paterno legacy all the while keeping him close to the Penn State program. A head coach needs to be in control of so many things, but most important is game management and recruiting. An Interim Head Coach gives you better on the field game management and with JoePa still involved on the teaching/recruiting side you don’t lose an edge in the off season.

Graham Harell Leads Texas Tech

If JoePa can change to a spread offense, I am sure someone could talk him into a lesser role just to stay involved in the program. It really is in the best interest of the players, students, school, coaches, and administration. And that is the order of importance that should be considered.

So it is Rivalry Week this week. Here are the top 10 games!

#2 Texas Tech at #5 Oklahoma - No Big Deal, just a National Championship Game is on the line.
#15 Michigan State at Penn State - Battle of the Land Grant Trophy
#14 BYU at #7 Utah - It is sad this game isn’t on national TV
#21 Oregon State at Cal - Oregon State’s Rose Bowl destiny are in their own hands. A Penn State win means an unlikely rematch.
Michigan at #10 Ohio State - Welcome to the Filled in Horseshoe Rich.
Florida State at #25 Maryland - Black Out in College Park. We are still waiting for someone from the ACC to step up…anyone???
#20 Pittsburgh at #19 Cincinnati - Apparently the Big East Champion is BCS Bowl eligible…who knew?
Land Grant Rivalry
Ole Miss at #18 LSU - SEC teams have more bye weeks then NFL teams
#9 Boise State at Nevada - The Mountain West needs some love, big time.
NC State at #22 North Carolina - Note to Tar Heels fans, you need to keep Butch Davis.