The Lion in Winter…Redux
CJScalazettiPart 1
A few years ago, there was a book released about the 2004 Penn State Football season and, more specifically, its legendary head coach Joe Paterno as he endured his toughest season to date in his 55 years of coaching at the University. Penn State was in the middle of its worse stretch under Paterno as 3 of the previous 4 seasons had losing seasons with no Bowl appearances. There was a major talent void at a university due to lethargic recruiting that showed up on the field week after week.
The national media caught on to these down years in State College by publishing countless articles with the headlines “Should Joe Go?” and “Un-Happy Valley for Penn State.” Most infamously, a website was started called firejoepaterno.com by disgruntled alumni who felt the then-78 year old coach was ruining the great tradition he created when he took over the position back in 1966. The Lion of Winter continued the trend as it ended at the 2004 season after a 4-7 finish for Penn State. However, what actually happened after the book went to print only added to the legend of Joe Paterno and Penn State Football.
In early 2005, the President of the University Graham Spanier, the Athletic Director Tim Curley as well as some other Penn State VIPs made a visit to Paterno’s house for one purpose: convince the stubborn 78 year old that it was in his and the program’s best interest to retire. They knew that they could not withstand the firestorm that would erupt if they unceremoniously fired Paterno, even though they had just cause based previous 5 years (26-32). Any other coach for an elite program in Division 1 Football would have been gone long ago. This was the all-time Div 1 leader in regular season wins, bowl appearances and postseason wins. He had 2 National Championships and 5 undefeated seasons.
More importantly, Penn State program was always looked upon as the “Gold Standard” for the student athlete. They were never under investigation from the NCAA for violations, had high graduation rates, and a strong focus on education. It was this “Gold Standard” that was instrumental in turning Penn State from a small agricultural school in the middle of Pennsylvania to a mega-University.
The wins as well as the coach’s Brooklyn charm helped open the alumni wallets to fund new buildings, programs and research centers. Paterno donated over 5 million dollars back to the University, culminating in the Paterno Library. There has never been any other coach in college football history who meant so much to his university, financially and emotionally. This is why the Penn State administration knew they needed him to step aside rather than be fired.
Paterno refused to step aside. Claiming that they were only one or two good players away from returning to prominence, he insisted on one more season.
Penn State ended up winning 11 games including an upset over a top ranked Ohio State team and a BCS Bowl victory over Florida State. They were one dubious call at Michigan from playing for a National Championship. The fresh recruiting blood with Derrick Williams, Justin King, and a trademark punishing Penn State defense returned the administration and fans’ faith in Joe Paterno .
The 79 year old coach had a successful 4 year stretch with 4 straight bowl games (winning 3), another Big 10 title and a 40-12 overall record. The 2008 team might have been the best team as Beaver Stadium filled with raucous crowds and big time TV games returning Paterno to legendary status. At age 82, he signed a new 4 year deal to coach the team. After that, who knows?
So the Paterno story had a happy ending? Lee Corso from College Gameday would say, “Not so fast, my friend.”
During the offseason, contemporary Bobby Bowden from Florida State was forced out after a very similar career arc to Paterno’s. Bowden ran through a few seasons of subpar performances and unlike Joe was unable to weather another stormy season even though from 1988 to 2001 Florida State was ranked in the Top 5. But in the world of “What have you done for me lately?”, Florida State administration cut ties with their own legendary coach.
Prior to the start of the regular season, Joe was forced to cancel many appearances due to a “minor intestinal issue and repercussions from an antibiotic.” When Joe did finally make his first TV appearance at the annual Big 10 Kickoff Meeting in August, many were astounded to see Joe look and sound very weak. There was some speculation going around that Paterno actually suffered a mini-stroke, but the rumor was shot down.
Ultimately, what saved Joe from getting fired in 2004 were the 50+ wins he produced the following five years. The previous issues would be dismissed if Penn State came out and played inspired ball for the 2010 season. With the 2010 season half over, the results have been ugly enough that the questions of Paterno’s status are starting to be asked again.
Reader Comments (2)
The really big issue is that Penn State is not even in the top 50 recruiting! Penn State will now get worse every year Paterno hangs around. YOU CAN'T TURN THIS AROUND IF YOU CAN'T RECRUIT!
The problem of Joe Pa's age has been the debate for close to twenty years. I remember the first time I heard it. It was after a game against a weaker opponent like Northwestern or Purdue and the fans at the Arby's up there on Atherton thought we should have killed them by thirty. I was standing behind a guy not even old enough to buy beer listening to a rant about how old Joe Pa was and old fashion his game. He was maybe 70.
I thought it was ridiculous that after a win someone would be complaining, but I was new to the school and the whole college football scene. I really only thought that people watched football on Sundays until I came to State College, but I did know the name of Joe Paterno as a icon only a few weeks on campus.
Penn State always goes in slumps and they will come back. Joe Pa runs a clean program that everyone in PA can be proud of supporting. College football is a party and the game is like one meal of a three course menu of a Happy Valley Saturday. When Joe Pa retires and I beleive he should decide when, the team will retain their priority status for recruiting in the Notheast because of the quality of the school, the quality of young man and his family that is attracted to the school, and the family and loyalty of a tradition built on celebrating a time of life when things were simpler and happy, but perhaps we didn't know it then.
For me, Saturdays in Happy Valley are about Joe Paterno and those blue busses and the ice cream and the blue band and that apple cider I get on the way home as the trees turn their brilliant orange and red of Central Pa. I might not have known about Saturday football before I went to college, but I learned to appreciate its youthful quest and fun from the people who are proud of their school days and enjoy returning every year.
Anyway, if PSU loses, there is still an Eagles game -- and that loss will ruin my week.
Great post and I look forward to part two.