Joe Paterno Tries to Be Oldest Human Ever to Teach People Things, Gets 3-Year Extension

I really couldn't beat this lead if I tried, so I will step back and let FightonState.com take the reins for a minute.

Months of speculation that Penn State might be operating under a hip, new coach in 2009 is about to come to an end. Instead, the Nittany Lions will have, well, a coach with a slick new hip in '09.

That, ladies and gents, is the perfect way to say that 81-year-old Joe Paterno, who spent most of the year away from the sidelines and in a booth, has landed a three-year extension from Penn State, making him unofficially the oldest human to ever live (haven't checked the facts yet).

FightOnState.com has learned from several university sources that Paterno and Penn State have agreed in principle to a multi-year contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the Nittany Lion football program for at least three more seasons. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The deal is expected to be signed and announced by the end of the week.

I would have to say, Paterno is really breaking the trend of "old men struggling in 2008." John McCain lost the election, Bobby Bowden finished a disappointing 5-3 in the ACC and Lute Olson quit after pulling the college basketball equivalent of a Brett Favre.

This would be the season Paterno would feel the need to come back. Penn State was one loss away from possibly making the national championship and is getting to face USC in the Rose Bowl.

Something crazier than that? Paterno has been on staff with Penn State since 1950! Did you know that I just read online, dirt was actually founded in 1956. Paterno's coaching career is OLDER THAN DIRT! Tell all your friends.

Joe Paternos Career

Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who turns 82 on Sunday, has reportedly agreed to a contract extension that will extend his tenure at the school by at least three years. Click through to recap JoePa's career.

Carolyn Kaster, AP

Paterno, seen here in 1965, began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Penn State in 1950. He initially thought his coaching career would be short and he would enter law school.

Paterno became Penn State's head coach in 1966, taking the reigns from his retiring college coach at Brown, Rip Engle.

Penn State went 5-5 in Paterno's first year, but the school became a national powerhouse with perfect seasons in 1968 and 1969 and 11 straight bowl trips from 1973-1983.

The Nittany Lions won their first national championship following the 1982 season, beating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They repeated the feat in the 1986 season with an Orange Bowl win over Miami.

Paterno celebrated his 324th victory in 2001. The Lions topped Ohio State at home, 29-27, to make Paterno the winningest coach in NCAA history.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Paterno relinquished the lead for career wins to another veteran, Florida State's Bobby Bowden, for a stretch, but holds the record once again. Paterno also owns the record for career bowl game victories.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

A seven-foot bronze sculpture of Paterno leading his players stands outside Beaver Stadium. The monument was erected shortly after Paterno became the career leader in wins in 2001.

Pat Little, AP

Paterno was a living legend by the start of this decade and his old-school image even became marketable. A string a mediocre seasons from 2000 through 2004 prompted questions though about the veteran's ability to coach in the modern age. He responded with an 11-1 record and a Big Ten title in 2005.

Jacqueline Larma, AP

Paterno suffered a severe knee injury while on the sidelines during a game at Wisconsin in 2006. He was forced to coach from a skybox for a stretch afterward.

Morry Gash, AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

12-16-2008 @ 8:25PM

ECS said...

I get this horrible feeling that this man is determined to actually die on the sidelines during one of these games, and it's going to be a tremendous embarrassment for college football.

12-16-2008 @ 8:54PM

bill r cyrus said...

don't be a hater, just because he was $5.00 short of being you're daddy doesn't mean he will be an embarassment for college football. Step back, do some research, and look at what this guy has done for the sport, the school, and the community. Don't act like a douche because you're crappy team can't find a coach that is even good enough to hold his 81 year old jockstrap. WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!! . Don't ever forget it.

12-17-2008 @ 6:42PM

Brad said...

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12-26-2008 @ 6:39AM

mtnman said...

Keep at it JoePa.
You have been good for the players, the University, the coaching profession, college football and the country. You should be making what the University of Alabama gets. Even Jen Bavaro likes you and she doesn't like football.

12-16-2008 @ 9:25PM

DAVE said...

Tell it like it is Bill R. JO PA is a living legend!!!

12-16-2008 @ 9:28PM

Don said...

An embarrassment - not hardly - He'll have the largest crowd to HONOR him right then and there!!!

12-17-2008 @ 12:33AM

ouirpennstate said...

Hmm...apparently you missed Craig James' lesson in arrogance and stupidity- perhaps you should read that before opening your mouth and spilling your ignorant drivel in reference to one of the last class acts in coaching today- on any level. Don't worry, Joe will forgive you- he's still intact enough to recognize an idiot when he sees/hears/reads an article written by one... he'll take the high road; that's what real men do (I'm sure that you don't know that...)

12-16-2008 @ 10:42PM

bill said...

There's a lot of talk about coaches as role models for the kids. Joe is role model for their grandparents. Instead of curling up and withering away he shows how to be productive and enjoy life at 81.

12-16-2008 @ 11:03PM

Kevin said...

Funny thing about coach. He never quit on his team, and he hasn't dropped a pass, failed to pick up a blitz, thrown an interception, fumbled a ball or missed a tackle in 50 plus years. Its a disgrace that the backup quarterback (and his mommy and daddy) quit before the big game against USC, but you didn't beat out the guy in front of you and now you want to take your ball and play with the not so good kids. Well, Mr., Mrs. and baby Devlin, take your ball and play in Division I-AA; we prefer guys like Joe Paterno @ Penn State.

12-17-2008 @ 12:08AM

tim said...

from a roll tide man who has grown up with the bear way to go joe pa.your a heck of a coach and i was more upset over your loss than ours.lets go get em next year and just maybe bama #1,penn state #2 for a title,wouldn't that be cool.

12-17-2008 @ 12:34AM

Knute Rockney said...

WAY TO GO JOE. YOUR THE BEST. CONGRATULATIONS DUDE.

12-17-2008 @ 9:05AM

Ron Rapp said...

Maybe he's confused. Somebody please tell Joe he can't do what Rip Engle did, beat Woody Hayes back to back-home and home.

12-17-2008 @ 2:51PM

tHOR said...

THE BEST EVER....

12-17-2008 @ 2:59PM

Destinp3 said...

I love JoePa, Penn State loves JoePa.......He's a living legend and I am honored that he is the coach of my college football team......He is the best and ECS said he will be an EMBARRASSMENT.....NEVER!!!!! JoePa will NEVER be an embarrassment....I think your just mad ur school (if you have one) doesnt have him as a coach.......... WE ARE!!!!!! PENN STATE!!!!!

12-17-2008 @ 3:02PM

When did I say Joe Paterno would be an embarrassment? I said Joe Paterno dying on the sidelines of a game would be a tremendous embarrassment. The man will be 84 by the time his contract is up, and being a head football coach at a major college is not exactly a stress-less job.

I mean, it's not like 84 year olds are perfectly healthy, and we say "Oh my God, he was so young!" when we read about an 80-year old man in an obituary. Joe Pa's already had some scares, and you should be worried that Penn State can get him out of there before something terrible happens in front of the entire nation. That's the point I was trying to make.

12-17-2008 @ 3:25PM

Still confused- how would him dying doing something that he a)loved, b) was capable of doing and c) was hired to do be an embarrassment? Death is a part of life. You cannot remove someone from their job based on their age if they are still capable of performing that job. Perhaps you should check into what the word discrimination means (I know that it's more than one syllable but so is idiot and you seem to have that one down cold-)

12-17-2008 @ 3:42PM

jfilia said...

I remember back in 82-83, there were lifesize cardboard cutouts of Joe all over campus... in the bookstores, pharmacies, everywhere... and if Coach Joe said 'Give It a Shot', then you'd better pay attention. The man is a living legend and a hero to so many of us... I truly hope he continues until I'm not around any longer. Just can't imagine PSU, the campus, the stadium, without Coach Joe, the Greatest of ALL Time...