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Faceoff
Should Joe Paterno step down after this season:
By Times staff writers
Published November 6, 2005
HE'S EARNED RIGHT TO EXIT ON HIS OWN TERMS
We like our heroes to go out on top, like John Elway winning back-to-back Super Bowls or Lance Armstrong winning his seventh Tour de France. But seldom do we consider what's best for the people themselves.
Joe Paterno has coached at Penn State for 56 years, 40 as head coach. He has donated tens of millions to the university. Asking him to leave is like asking him to stop being himself.
Coaching is what Paterno does. For a living, for a purpose. And with more than 350 wins, five unbeaten seasons and two national championships, he does it better than most.
Though his team has struggled in recent seasons, Paterno's mind remains sharp, he continues to land top recruits, and he has outlasted even the Web sites that called for his ouster.
Every time they tour, we hear about the Rolling Stones' age. But they continue to play to sellout crowds and draw rave reviews.
If school administrators decide Paterno can no longer do the job, if recruits start going elsewhere, if players stop responding to him, then he should step away.
Until then, let him decide when the time is right.
- FRANK PASTOR
THIS SEASON WOULD PERFECTLY SEAL LEGACY
It's great that Joe Paterno has confounded his critics one more time. It speaks well of college football that the Penn State coach, who has always done everything the right way and helped keep the student in student-athlete, is having a career renaissance. Having the Nittany Lions, and having JoePa, back in the nation's Top 10 feels right.
Now he should go out on top.
Penn State has had remarkable good luck to have Paterno lead the program for 40 years. But the past few have been difficult for the old master. Paterno, who has 18 seasons of 10 or more wins, saw his team slide in the past five to 5-7, 5-6, a rebound to 9-4, then 3-9 and 4-7.
The difference? The depth of the Big Ten, in which it's difficult for anyone who isn't Michigan or Ohio State to stay on top very long. And as his Nittany Lions have struggled, JoePa, who turns 79 in December, seems to enjoy his job less and seems to have become testier. He constantly faces the question all aging sportsmen face: when to quit.
Paterno has had an honorable, legendary career. He should go out with a season worthy of his legacy - this one.
- JIM TOMLIN
Last week
Do you like the NBA implementing a strict dress code for its players?
Pastor (Yes) - 590
Tomlin (No) - 103
Overall
Pastor - 1,373
Tomlin - 847
[Last modified November 6, 2005, 01:59:22]
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