March 10, 2008
Paterno discussing retirement plans
Penn State head coach Joe Paterno sought out the counsel of fellow Big 10 head coach Joe Tiller during the recent Nike Coaches Clinic. The topic? Succession plans and retirement, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Tiller, who has announced his retirement following the 2008 season, introduced his hand-picked successor at Purdue shortly after the end of the season.
Paterno, the 81-year-old Penn State coach whose contract runs through this season, sought out Tiller, full of questions that he wanted answered."He was asking me 'Why?' and 'Who?' and 'How?' " Tiller said during a telephone interview. "He didn't really tip his hand. But he did ask me 'Who's this guy?' and 'Why did I like him?' and 'Why now?' and those types of things.
"He didn't say, 'I'm thinking about this or I've got to do this.' But, after it had been announced, he seemed to be curious."
Paterno and PSU athletic director Tim Curley are thought to be reworking a contract for the legendary coach, but have yet to announce a resolution after four months. The perceived impasse may be a result of Paterno's desire to secure future contracts for his assistant coaches, while Curley is thought to be wanting more control in the coaching search. Both have refused to comment on the legendary coach's future.
Is this the last season for Paterno? It certainly appears that way.
Hat Tip: BSD
Comments:
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on March 11, 2008 9:58 AM — 192.91.75.30 — link — abuse?
said:
1st_and_Nole, thanks for the link. I think all Penn State fans should beware of what they ask for. I know a lot of Penn State fans are wanting a fresh face to lead their team. But i think we all know how difficult it is for a coach to follow in a legendary coaches footsteps. I think back when Darrell Royal left Texas in 1976 with a 164-47-5 record with 3 national titles, 11 conference crowns (including shared), and 16 bowl game appearances. From 1976 to 1998 when Mack was hired the Horns went through 3 coaches and had a 158-85-4 with 0 national titles 6 conference crowns and 14 bowl games. The Akers era had promise even though we had a case of the Oklahoma's in 78 and 84 by having a great regular season by going undefeated, but choking in the bowl games costing us 2 possible titles. After 84 Texas didn't even sniff a chance at a national title and other than the huge upset over Nebraska in the 96 Big 12 Title game not too much went our way. So beware what you ask for Penn State fans, because replacing a legend isn't easy.
HookEmHorns!
War Eagle Atlanta
posted on March 11, 2008 10:42 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
This is just a ruse in order to bluff Bobby into making a move from which there is no retreat. Such is the play in the Texas Coaching Cage Match of Death...
My sources tell me that evidently, Joe is having a hard time drawing a full social security check and will be forced to cut back on his hours at Wal Mart AND his coaching job so he can realize full benefits. Coming from the depression era, Joe doesn't want to have paid into something for 60 years for nothing...
posted on March 11, 2008 11:37 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
Yeah, I really do think this is the end, but I don't think it is being brought on by the fans so much. (At least not compared to the way the fans nearly revolted five years or so ago when the team was so bad.)
Seems like a power struggle and those rarely end well.
psichipsu said:
posted on March 11, 2008 2:57 PM — 76.124.27.17 — link — abuse?
This story is nothing more than a bunch of bored football reporters trying to amuse themselves before spring practices get in full swing.
Paterno has always met with the ADs at this time of year. He still has a year left on his contract. What is there to talk about, except, maybe, an increase in salary. And, perhaps, the talk of retirement revolved around whether he would be able to fulfill the last year of his contract.
I subscribe to the usual litany that JoePa made Penn State football and he should leave when he is ready. The university, as a whole, has benefited greatly because of Joe...both by his own largesse and the publicity that he has generated.
President Spanier needs to spend more time seeking and securing endowments and let JoePa continue to take care of the football program.
PS: If Joe should go, then DeChellis needs to go tooWar Eagle Atlanta
posted on March 11, 2008 3:50 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
psichi: You should see what bored football fans do to amuse themselves before spring practice--come on here, mainly...
I agree--JoPa should be able to stay until he damn well pleases, but don't you think he should have hung it up years ago if it wasn't for Bobby breathing down his neck? Do you think he should still be wheeled around the sidelines just for the record?
psichipsu said:
posted on March 11, 2008 5:31 PM — 76.124.27.17 — link — abuse?
Hi War Eagle
I must be bored...because here I am again, so soonI'll admit that there were times early in the century when I thought he needed to go, but then he surprises just about everybody and wins a BigTen championship and another BCS bowl game.
And I'll admit that I feel a little giddy that Bowden has fallen on some bad times and that JoePa will retake the lead this season. He had been ahead and lost the lead and I'm sure he'd like it back. A lot of us would like it back for him.
As for being wheeled around the sidelines...a cheap shot akin to the reserved port-a-potty story.
If you think about it, he's not that much older than John McCain....oops, did I just cross a line between politics and sports?
1st_and_NOLE
posted on March 11, 2008 7:50 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
I think Bobby could survive at FSU longer then JoPa could at Penn St before he was forced out.
Bowden has a crystal clear succession plan (Jimbo Fisher) and Fisher just signed a 3 year contract with a huge 2.5 million buyout. Plus, he showed zero, zilch, aught interest in some big programs that had interest in him this off season. Fisher seems pretty intent on honoring his contract.
From several articles I've read from different sources, it sounds like the Penn St brass is ready to move on from JoPa in a more... stern manner. If JoPa tries to fight it, several sources indicate he'll kill any chance of one of his long-time assistants getting the job.
Tomcat said:
posted on March 12, 2008 2:56 AM — 68.94.172.238 — link — abuse?
#8 1st & Nole Your probably right,Some folks just dont know when to quit or how to step down.The transition should be one that is done in a respectful manner. Mr. Peterno has the opportunity to help chose his successor and leave the program with dignaty.To be forced out after all the years of deticated service and success would be unfortunant for the man and the program.
This topic "JoePa's retirement" has been floating around every year it seems.
The Media & press scrutinize every little episode that reflects the mans age in a negative light, calling for his retirement. He is still as sharp as a tack and very capable of coaching his team. He should step down under his own direction according to his own personal agenda or timeline and not be forced out under undue critizism by an impatient media urgent for change regardless of the outcome.gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 9:18 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
This Joe/Bobby Retirement seems to be a hot topic all around the Web...
I especially like this one as it points out that Joe has been shafted in more ways than one in the wins race...
If the NCAA would correct the manner in which they tally the totals both of these guys would have been gone before now as Joe would be the undeniable leader...
Solving the problem at both schools...
gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 10:43 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
K-Hue (#11):
No rose colored glasses here, Kev, nor am I stating that this is a new trend...
It's not a FSU issue...
It's an NCAA issue...
JoePa has come by all of wins as the HC of a D-I football program...
Bowden is only up by one because of two reasons...
The NCAA allowing the tally of 31 wins at Howard and; as link I provided pointed out; the counting of a forfeit win over Tulane...
Allowing coaches to count wins coached at a level below makes ZERO sense...
Which is the only thing the NCAA can seem to do consitently...
Zac said:
posted on March 12, 2008 10:52 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
I don’t know, GH. Maybe I’m just sentimental. I don't see this as being about wins & losses; though sadly it always comes down to that. It’s not all that often that any individual winds up doing what they love day-in, day-out, and it just happens to be their job.
My father had an associates degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He loved to fly and wanted to design and work on air-craft. He once had a job working on the engines of experimental aircraft. As a result of bad luck and circumstances, he wound up in a parts factory for Ford Motor Co. He put 33 years in that place, and all he could think about was retiring.
So, how does an individual who’s job, by some strange coincidence happens to be doing what they love, walk away from their job? It’s like JoePa asked during an interview. “What am I gonna do if I retire, hunt?” It's more than just his job; it's his life, and same goes for Bowden. Hell, even Tom Osborn couldn’t completely walk away from the Huskers.
Lets face it. These men are living legends. Their continuance in being involved with their respective teams does no harm to either their teams or college football. Believe me; when their time comes they’ll go. When that happens, we’ll all miss them just like we miss Bear Bryant and Bo Schembechler, to name a couple. So, let it be on their terms. Given what each has given to college football, is it really so much to ask? Just a thought.
gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 11:07 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
Zac (#13):
Unfortunately, it is about WINS...
Especially to these two...
The problem being is that neither one is doing much of it on a consistent basis and allowing their arrogance and stubborness to get in the way of what is best for their programs...
The big picture indicates that the futures of young men should be more important than personal acheivement...
posted on March 12, 2008 11:27 AM — link — abuse? said:
GH - I'm going to agree to disagree, because some people have been arguing about this since the decision on calculations in what... the mid-1980s?
The link you mention -- Tim Stephens' blog post -- takes a current topic (Paterno's contract status) and manages to make it all the way around to suspensions at FSU.
I will leave it to others to determine just how relevant one is to the other.
gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 11:55 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
K-Hue (#15):
Yeah, I noticed he made it around to that too...
However, it certainly has a place in the discussion...
Considering that the NCAA could eventually vacate wins in the football program along with the other sports programs involved...
If this happens it could decisively change the Bowden/Paterno race to the top in Paterno's favor depending on the number of games the NCAA would yank...
So one is very relevant to the other...
Zac said:
posted on March 12, 2008 12:30 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
GH, I can agree that both Bowden & Paterno want to be successful; neither wants to be a waste of time to his respective team or to college football. I can also agree they’re both competitive individuals who likely value winning......to some extent. In my opinion, however, winning is no where near as big a motivation to either of them as is their love for the game.
gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 12:38 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
Zac (#17):
And with their love for the game is that great...
Then it should pain them to see what they have been putting their programs through for the last few years while possibly damaging the development of what could be great players...
Whether admitted or not...
Both of these "gentlemen" are still in it because of the pursuit of the record...
Undoubtedly, when one goes; forced or choiced: the other will soon follow suit...
How long after will depend on who's ahead and who's behind and which one goes first...
posted on March 12, 2008 1:27 PM — link — abuse? said:
GH - It's only "relevant" if one accepts your hypothesis that "the record" is all that keeps the two in the game.
While I have heard that a lot (and even made that accusation one single time at Bowden), I do not believe it in my heart of hearts. Regardless of what you think of the man, Bowden's support for a coach-in-waiting was in the best interest of FSU. That indicates that BB has a timeline, even if he's not telling us what it is.
Every quote I hear from JoPa sounds like a man that truly enjoys coaching and loves the routine. He's still keeping his schedule and still - by all accounts - as hands on as he ever was. He was even on the sleds at one point. So... I think he's in it for more than just the record, but may be starting to see the twilight.
Talk about disputed records, forfiets, and number of wins doesn't begin to do either guy justice.gatorhippy
posted on March 12, 2008 1:43 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
K-Hue (#19):
I don't disagree that both have a love for the game and coaching as a whole...
However, to dismiss the fact that both are chasing the record is naive...
Personal achievement is a inherent human trait and is consequently what ALL humans strive for...
Whether constructive or destructive...
No matter what politically correct and/or philanthropic reasons, designs and actions they convey...
I doubt either one of these gentlemen entered coaching in order to solely satisfy an inherent need to mold young men...
Their primary ojective is to win...
And now, for both, to win enough to be in the lead or in contention for the lead...
War Eagle Atlanta
posted on March 12, 2008 3:03 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I'm going to be man enough and admit this, but I had totally forgotten about Bobby's first few years at Samford. Gatorhippy is right. Paterno is the true leader in that sense. Perhaps that idea isn't lost on Bobby. Auspiciously, he could go on another 3-4 years and bump his 1-A wins total past JoPa.
Borrowing an idea from bleeding-heart liberal educators, maybe both could be winners--Bobby in actual wins, JoPa in 1-A wins. Yeah!!! Bobby and JoPa!!! Yeah!!! Timmy!!!!
Gatorhip: That Orlando Sentinel article links to a column two years ago from Dennis Dodd, who says outright that each one of them is waiting for the other to die, whether they know it or not.
Sad but true.
posted on March 12, 2008 3:55 PM — link — abuse? said:
And another decent thread is hijacked.
We could have discussed....
- potential deals for the assistant coaches,
- potential replacements,
- the coaching ripple effect,
- the allure of PSU post-JoPa,
- the wisdom/lack for pushing JoPa out,but... nope.
I give up.
1st_and_NOLE
said:
posted on March 11, 2008 9:24 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?Yep... the heat is turning up in Happy Valley.
There's another interesting story pertaining to this situation...
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=361135