The Wiz of Odds

Reaction to the Firing of Paterno

A look at how columnists from Pennsylvania and around the country view the firing of Joe Paterno:

Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer: The St. Joe myth, while steeped in fact, was propagated for years by writers who fell under Paterno's spell. Yes, this was a public man who was often above the fray and stood by his morals. But that did not necessarily mean he was a great guy.

Bill Lyon, Philadelphia Inquirer: There came the shattering day no one had seen coming, the day the icon toppled, brought down by a failed and egregious attempt to preserve the image of his Camelot. That image turned out to be fraudulent. And in his zeal to keep up appearances, Paterno appears to have become a de facto enabler for an alleged sex predator.

Cory Giger, Altoona Mirror: Success with Honor no longer applies to Penn State University. Maybe someday the prestigious institution with a great football tradition will be able to use that motto or reclaim its place among the most-respected universities in the nation. But it will be a long time before that happens.

Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia Inquirer: Finally, at least 13 years too late, Penn State figured out that football can't always come first.

David Jones, Harrisburg Patriot-News: The national media vilifies Mike McQueary while Paterno gets a grand reception on his front lawn.

Some of Paterno's Not-So-Memorable Moments

A grumpy Joe Paterno after the Nittany Lions lost to Alabama in 2010.

Is Joe Paterno Ready to Call It Quits?

Is Joe Paterno's final home game as Penn State coach a little more than a week away?

Speculation continues that the legendary coach has had enough, his 84-year-old body battered daily by aches and pains. Physically, Paterno can't do the job anymore, and he spends little time on the field on game day, instead opting for a seat in the press box where he wears no headphones and doesn't call plays.

There's certainly nothing left to accomplish in football. Last Saturday, Paterno passed Eddie Robinson as the all-time wins leader in Division I with his 409th victory. He won't catch all-time wins leader John Gagliardi of Division III St. John's (Minn), who remains active and is college football's all-time leader with 482 victories.

Adding to the speculation is that Paterno's contract is up at the end of the season and there hasn't been any discussion — at least publicly — about an extension.

Penn State Roughs Up Purdue, 23-18

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin spent Saturday in Happy Valley, where the Penn State played host to Purdue. The Nittany Lions won, 23-18, before 100,820 and improved to 6-1, but remained unranked in the Associated Press top 25.

There are more photos after the jump, and you can view Greg's full gallery by clicking here.

Penn State

Penn State celebrates its 125th season of football with this throwback poster featuring William Thomas "Mother" Dunn, the team's first All-American. Dunn was captain of the 1906 team, which by some accounts was Joe Paterno's first season as coach. OK, that's a joke, but Paterno is back for his 46th season as coach. The Nittany Lions play host to Alabama on Sept. 10.

Thanks to Penn State Clips.

The Joe Paterno Interview

Penn State's Joe Paterno recently told a recruit he plans to be coaching "for another five or six years," but a lot of people might question the wisdom of that statement after listening to an interview Paterno gave last Thursday to Steve Duernig of 620-WDAE in Tampa.

Duernig introduces the segment by saying what an honor it was to interview Paterno, who will celebrate his 84th birthday on Dec. 21. From there, the segment deteriorates, with Paterno having trouble hearing Duernig.

The segment lasts only two minutes and you can listen by clicking here.

Paterno's Nittany Lions play Florida in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Update: There's also this video from Friday's presser in Tampa. Frankly, Paterno seems to have slipped considerably in the past month.

Thanks to Image of Sport.