Paterno Signs 3-Year Deal

Former Penn State coach takes turn for the worse with lung cancer

(AP) - Joe Paterno's doctors say the former Penn State coach's condition has become "serious" after he experienced complications from lung cancer in recent days. The winningest major college football coach of all time, Paterno was diagnosed shortly after Penn State's board of trustees ousted him Nov. 9 in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. More»

This season needs to be put out of its misery, Chris Dufresne argues

(NEWSER) - Penn State has been tone deaf throughout the Jerry Sandusky crisis, so it’s no surprise that its interim president recently said the team should play in a bowl game this year. Wrong, says Chris Dufresne of the LA Times . “Penn State’s season can’t end fast enough.” Any Penn State bowl game would be a “carnival sideshow spectacle” with a never-ending barrage of scandal questions. “Bowl games should be celebrations, not interrogations." More»

34-year tenure turned Seminoles into national football powerhouse

(NEWSER) - Bobby Bowden will announce his retirement tomorrow as Florida State University’s football coach, ending a 34-year tenure during which he built the Seminoles into a national powerhouse. The 80-year-old Bowden met with school officials today, sources tell the Tallahassee Democrat , and was given the option of staying in a reduced role, with chosen successor Jimbo Fisher getting greater authority. More»

(AP) - After securing a trip to the Rose Bowl with a decisive 49-18 win today over No. 17 Michigan State, Penn State coach Joe Paterno gave his fans another reason to smile. "I'm planning on coming back, yeah," said the 81-year-old Paterno. "I never planned otherwise." Rumors had swirled for weeks as to whether today's game might be JoePa's last at Beaver Stadium. More»

Penn State confirms death of beloved former coach

(AP) - Joe Paterno, who racked up more wins than anyone else in major college football but was fired from Penn State amid a child sex abuse scandal, has died, his family confirmed this morning. He was 85. Paterno "died as he lived," read the statement. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been." Paterno's son Scott announced Nov. 18 that his father was being treated for lung cancer, which was diagnosed in mid-November during a follow-up visit for a bronchial illness. More»