Zombie Nation: Retirement

12.21.2007

Open Letter to Joe Paterno

I don't usually do anything this cheesy, but let's give this a shot.

The Honorable Coach Joseph Vincent Paterno:

I'll get right to the point. The ongoing discussion--or lack thereof--of your plans for the program's future is becoming quite troublesome. I rarely ever say anything like this, but I really want to know where the program is going. You and your staff have a right not to care what the future holds, as you have an important bowl game to prep for. But how much would it hurt to say something like "we're going to look at it during the off season, and that's all I can say." I know that's not much, but at least it wouldn't be as condescending as:
"Why do you keep asking that."
"I don't really know what you're talking about."
"Get out'a here with that."
"I'm not going to talk about it."
"You guys really crack me up. I haven't really thought about it."

Sorry, but I've had it. Joe, you're full of shit. You're 81 years old. You don't realize that you'll have to stop coaching soon? I've supported you as long as I've been around PSU. I never said you had to stop coaching or quit. I think you can coach, you haven't lost your ability, and you'll probably get another really good season before you go.

--However--

Do you really want to see this program end up like Michigan did? No, I don't mean landing Dick Rod. I'm talking about going through an embarrassingly long and indecisive hiring process. And if you have a plan--say, promoting Tom Bradley--then why the hell don't you come out with it already?

Sincerely Yours,

The Penn State Faithful

No I don't expect him to read this, never mind answer me, or ever even know who I am. But I'll tell you, I couldn't be more frustrated.

Talk has officially grown to roar on Joe Paterno's possible succession plan at Penn State. Partly due to West Virginia losing Rich Rodriguez to Michigan, and taking interest in ICOD Tom Bradley, and partly due to the recent announcement of Jimbo Fisher as the "Head Coach In-Waiting" at Florida State, the Penn State football nation has clamored for an outline of the program's future--any future.

The cries for his retirement plan have only made Paterno more tight-lipped about the issue. Rumors of him leaving have swirled around Happy Valley since the New England Patriots tried to woo him in the early 1970s. But that wasn't talk of retirement. Many believed that Paterno would go after he won his second national championship in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, capping his first undefeated championship season. He didn't go anywhere, instead staying to reel off some of the most underachieving years in the Paterno era at Penn State--8-4, 5-6, 8-3-1, 7-5.

Then it happened, the perfect opportunity. From 1991 through 1994, Penn State landed itself into three New Years Day bowls and 49 wins over that span. Above all, the 1994Lions were considered by many as national champions, sporting a 12-0 record. Penn State was ready for Paterno to say "I'm done." But again, it didn't happen. Another close call came in 1999, when ICOD Jerry Sandusky left. But Joe remained.

Now, with many big-time programs like Florida State, Michigan and Wisconsin giving advanced notice of their coaches' plans, Penn State fans are wondering why Tim Curley and Paterno are keeping mum on the issue. Paterno has said time after time that he would like one more undefeated season, especially after coming so close in 2005. He mentioned that although he doesn't hold stock in records, stats and public opinion, he would like to have a perfect year in each decade he's coached. He's only got three seasons left to do it.

Penn State is not known for its element of surprise when it comes to almost anything, but there's a very real chance the events of the past week and a half could spark a sudden change of heart in the Lasch Building. While it would catch many off guard to see a press conference called sometime before Coastal Carolina comes to town, announcing a succession plan, I wouldn't be that shocked. Penn State is conservative. Penn State is old school. But above all, Penn State is Joe Paterno, and no one will call the shots but Joe Paterno.