It's really getting ugly on the Penn State boards.

[TommyMac]

Poor JoPa, the guy spends most of his adult life building up a reservoir of love and respect from the PSU faithful, only to see it almost completely disappear in just a few years because he couldn't force himself to retire gracefully.

There's almost nobody showing support for him anymore and they're VERY emphatic about venting their frustrations either. They seem to feel like they're stuck with him too. They don't seem to hold out very much optimism that he'll pull the plug anytime soon.

I've never been as big of a JoPa fan as a lot of folks on this forum, but this is really getting sad. It's reached the point that he's looking like one of those tragic examples of a used up fighter who feel like they have one more great fight left in them. I guess he just refuses to walk away and leave the all time wins title to Diddy. It's a lost cause though. FSU ain't what they used to be, but they're miles and miles ahead of PSU at this point in time.

The PSU posters don't even want him having anything to do with the program when he leaves. They're afraid that unless there's a clean break, JoPa might still meddle and keep the program in the crapper.

Seems like his family would see what he's doing to his legacy and gently persuade him to finally give it up.

 

[wisten]

That entire situation is sad.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

You aren't kidding TommyMac they are unbelievably mad about JoPa. One of them is calling for a boycott of the last home game.

Lion News Penn State Football Forum

9.27.2004
Paterno To Be Featured on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight"
Airs Wednesday at 6:00 p.m

Paterno To Be Featured on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight"

 

[RollTideNAlbertville]

Very sad, we can relate.

 

[wastedmason]

Yes it is sad but what do you expect? Thank God coach Bryant didn't do that to us! He knew when it was time even though it probably led to his early death. I know he wanted the record but he also knew it wouldn't last long.

I don't think Penn State will ever recover. But what do I know?

 

[U-A]

I for one agree 100% with the students.

Fire JoePa. Don't fire him but just make him step down. He has lost it and his winning % the last 20 years show it. Since the 70's, the PSU winning % has gone downhill and now the recruiting is the hardest its ever been.

Get someone new. This whole thing about deserving to stay is complete BS, IMO, of "what have you done for me NOW"

Keep him as the AD then.

 

[ROTYDE]

Poor JoPa, the guy spends most of his adult life building up a reservoir of love and respect from the PSU faithful, only to see it almost completely disappear in just a few years because he couldn't force himself to retire gracefully.

There's almost nobody showing support for him anymore and they're VERY emphatic about venting their frustrations either. They seem to feel like they're stuck with him too. They don't seem to hold out very much optimism that he'll pull the plug anytime soon.

I've never been as big of a JoPa fan as a lot of folks on this forum, but this is really getting sad. It's reached the point that he's looking like one of those tragic examples of a used up fighter who feel like they have one more great fight left in them. I guess he just refuses to walk away and leave the all time wins title to Diddy. It's a lost cause though. FSU ain't what they used to be, but they're miles and miles ahead of PSU at this point in time.

The PSU posters don't even want him having anything to do with the program when he leaves. They're afraid that unless there's a clean break, JoPa might still meddle and keep the program in the crapper.

Seems like his family would see what he's doing to his legacy and gently persuade him to finally give it up.

Yeah. You know TommyMac I can remember my father saying when he was alive! you can always look around and find someone worse off than you are. RTR and God bless America!

 

[bamatex82]

If I were them, I wouldn't be worried about him meddling and keeping the program down. The reason he hasn't succeeded is he can't recruit. The reason he can't recruit is he's gotten so old no one is willing to risk joining up and having him leave. His last good group of seniors was something like 4 years ago. About the time Lamar Arrington came out. That class was recruited about 8 years ago. Without talent JoePa is not going to win. The sooner he swallows his pride the better he and PSU will be. It's a sad thing to see.

 

[CrimsonGlory]

It is unthinkable that JoPa is being treated with this lack of respect by the Penn State faithful. It's tough to lose; it hurts like hell when winning means so much to your school pride(we can relate). But in the end, there are more important things. If it were'nt for Paterno, Penn State would never have been a top notch program. Afterall, I'm not convinced that he's the problem. Of course, he's the obvious place to look for blame. However, I don't think its that simple. First of all, the argument that recruiting is hurting seem obvious(they don't know how long he's going to be there) but they've put together some top notch recruiting classes as of late. So that argument doesn't hold much water. Secondly, a figurehead head coach like JoPa who has a tremendous track record for success does not have as much tactical influence on the schemes, etc. as he does on motivation and people coaching. Therefore, the more logical blame would lay on his assistants and senior leaders--they have more of an affect on the actual gametime performance in this unique situation. He is a brand, an incredible representative for their program(despite occasional outbursts) and they should thank god for every season he chooses to stay with them.

 

[wisten]

What if Coach Bryant was here ... right now as coach and had had the same seasons JoPa had? Food for thought?

 

[U-A]

The recruiting argument holds plenty of water. Areas that they used to pick and choose people have gone down the drain. Just because Rivals or Insiders says they picked up a certain 3-4 star player means little these days. Penn St. struggles to take people from their own state and region....and its become a lot harder for them to get impact players right out of HS the last 3 years alone, though they did grab several defensive players from last year I believe.

Joe Pa needs to either win this year or step down.

 

[rtrcam]

What if Coach Bryant was here ... right now as coach and had had the same seasons JoPa had? Food for thought?

Good question. I believe what Penn St is going through is about the same thing Alabama was beginning to go through in the very early 80s, Coach Bryant's last few years. Recruiting starting suffering because opponents were able to truthfully say, "he can't coach forever." Had Coach Bryant been healthy, I don't know if he would have retired after the '82 season. But to answer the question, I'm afraid that he'd be receiving a lot of the same criticism that Paterno has received. I mean, look at how some fans are acting as we speak. One thing that goes somewhat overlooked about Penn St's situation is them joining the Big 10. I don't think that's helped their winning % much since they joined.

 

[Selma-Bama-Fan]

If I remember correctly, Penn State started going downhill right after that long time DC (forget his name) retired.

Same thing with Bowden at FSU, his program was at the top til half his assistants got HC jobs. Now FSU is a middle of the pack team.

 

[TommyMac]

Yeah, the recruiting does hold water. The PSU posters are VERY concerned. They used to get a lot of kids out of Virginia and New Jersey, but no more. They used to OWN the state of Pennsylvania, but now they can't even keep the homegrowns in State College.

 

[pluckngrit]

If I remember correctly, Penn State started going downhill right after that long time DC (forget his name) retired.

Same thing with Bowden at FSU, his program was at the top til half his assistants got HC jobs. Now FSU is a middle of the pack team.

was it jerry sanduski? if so, i think he left to become a position coach in the nfl.

RTR!

 

[RamJam]

To answer Wisten's question...

About if Coach Bryant was here today...

LOTS of people around Tuscaloosa have asked that question at parties, etc.....

Lots of people seem to think that Coach Bryant had it a little different( in a better sense) back in his day because that was when all teams (as they all do now) did what they could to get away with whatever they NEEDED to get away with, recruiting-wise, rules-wise with the players, hiding broken-law offenses, etc etc etc - BUT today, those kinds of things are much more under the microscope & can't BE gotten away with, due to the NCAA & all the harder rules to keep under raps by ALL the schools, especially when all schools are just waiting & watching for the next one to do something wrong that they can also report &/or use against the other one for recruiting purposes, etc etc etc .......

Sooooooo people wonder how Coach Bryant would have put up with all that & if he could have done as well now as he did back then, knowing he couldn't have had the same conditions today as he once had back in "the day".... Now, NO ONE doubts - PLEASE UNDERSTAND - that he could still out-coach anyone on the field or otherwise - but just wonder how he'd fare with the recruitment rules, & the many other rules that prevent us from having the dynasty we once had.

TO ME, personally, I just feel that since he prevailed back THEN, that he'd prevail now, but some of you may disagree. Just a thought.....

 

[BamaSkins]

of all the Bama games I've attended, Penn State always remains as one of the classiest (fans, players, and coach) I've seen...I've always liked Coach Joe, BUT having said that, if I was a Penn St fan, I'd be calling for his retirement...he ain't got it anymore...Joe would have to go...

 

[NYBamaFan]

Joe has been more than a coach at Penn State for many years. In fact, he is one of the largest contributors to the school. While he is hurting the team, he is the team, so he should be allowed to stay as long as he likes. Where would Penn State be, from a football perspective, without JoePa? They wouldn't be anywhere. He put them on the map. All of this criticism is to be expected, but the school should just eat it and do the right thing. Let him stay until he is ready to go...

 

[TideRollsInVa]

Does PSU play Saturday? We'll be in Richmond at a Sports Bar gathering of fans that get together every game, though this will be my first drive up this season. Anyway, PSU faithfull have a corner of the bar behind our own BAMA corner and I can recall last year they were becoming more distraught and ill at ease with Pa Joe than I ever would have imagined. Fan of Pa Joe or not he made that program, period. JMHO. But his staying around could be the undoing. Time will tell. Will Daddy Bowden do the same? I really don't think so. If the PSU crowd has gathered at the bar and it is around the same time I'll report back. But few Big 10 games are as late as we'll be playing. If they play and are gone when we arrive I'll look for damage and tear marks. With that said let pluck a Gamecock for a late Saturday night pot of dumplings. If anyone in the Virginia area is interested, email me and I'll get your email to our great coordinator, it's a fun group of us fellows and better halves.

 

[CnW]

I for one agree 100% with the students.

Fire JoePa. Don't fire him but just make him step down. He has lost it and his winning % the last 20 years show it. Since the 70's, the PSU winning % has gone downhill and now the recruiting is the hardest its ever been.

Get someone new. This whole thing about deserving to stay is complete BS, IMO, of "what have you done for me NOW"

Keep him as the AD then.

Hey they could just keep JoePa on the payroll like the Aubies do their has beens.