If you have ever encountered the legend himself, you would know he is not the ruthless coach you see on media day. He is the proud grandfather of 16, and 5 children. He is the father figure for over 100 student athletes a year that grace Penn State’s hallowed stadium and thousands of those who have passed through the years.

Do not make the mistake of underestimating the man though. Many have and they have all walked off the turf in defeat. Even the president of the university Joe has helped built into a national name retreated from Joe’s cozy ranch-style house in 2004 unable to convince the legend into retirement.

He epitomizes what those in-house refer to the ‘Penn State way’.

His ‘Grand Experiment’ has consistently produced above-average academic success exceeding the national average of 64 percent by 19 points and in the past 5 years has topped the country three times. Statistics most commonly reserved for private, ivy institutions, not a public state school in the middle of Pennsylvania. He understands that when it comes to student-athletes, student comes first.

With increasing pressure to win on the field, that message has become increasingly lost, but Joe does what he does best, ignore the mainstream and stick to his way. And his 3 consecutive bowl victories, including a BCS win since the attempted coup has shown his way still works.

So how is a coach who delivered Penn State’s only 2 national titles and built this institution from the ground up, on the hot seat?

It’s not like we are in the midst of the dark 03’ and 04’ seasons. Joe has actually delivered a BCS orange bowl, and 2 consecutive 9-4 seasons in the last 3 years and the administration is now awarding him with a pink slip?

If we were Notre Dame, 9-4 seasons would have automatically sent us into the BCS, making it 3 BCS appearances (*note appearances, not wins) in 3 seasons, but unfortunately we were not dubbed the overrated poster child of the NCAA (Notre Dame has lost their last 9 bowl games) and thus have to earn our spot in the BCS like everyone else.

Joe is the reason why 110,000 seats are filled every Saturday even against a team no one has ever heard of prior to a matchup with the Lions. He is why Penn State continues to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN even during losing seasons.

But he no longer recruits with the best of them, critics say. Joe Paterno does not own a cell phone and has never sent an email message. Yet he is able to haul in big time recruits like Derrick Williams, Pat Devlin, and so forth. Whether or not these big time recruits actually live up to their hype is another question altogether. I find it even more impressive that he can do what other coaches do without the aid of technology.

This is not an endorsement of his recruiting tactics. I too believe he should modernize, but Joe is certainly not deadweight when it comes to recruiting.

I find it appalling that the administration has not offered him whatever he wants contract-wise this late into March. That is a move usually reserved for coaches on the hot seat and Joe Paterno’s seat warmer has been disabled the year he won us our 2^nd national championship.

Ultimately the decision rests with the Athletic Director, Tim Curley and university president, Graham Spanier. But they must understand that while critics of the legendary coach might be the loudest right now, they are certainly not the majority. There are many, including myself who will believe that Joe Paterno has earned his meal ticket.

Any attempt by the university to force him into retirement will be met with the utmost resistance. And I’m not talking Bob Knight fired at Indiana protest-type resistance. Bob attacked a player, he deserved to be fired. Joe Paterno has never done anything wrong and is the reason why Penn State is Penn State today. In a time when newspapers and political figures are giving their endorsements to candidates, I have chosen Joe Paterno. Old Main, you have been warned.

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