Penn State's Future

What's Left of Joe Paterno's Legacy?

  I have tried to keep my posts positive. I have tried to stay clear of controversy and uncertainty. In this case with Penn State and Joe Paterno, some things have to be said.

  First, my thoughts and prayers go out to all who were and will be affected by this terrible tragedy that has swept Penn State by storm. Tragedy..... It truly is a tragedy. Some may feel anger, while others feel deeply hurt. This isn't the shooting on campus at Virginia Tech (and I am not down playing that tragedy at all), but this is very different, and it will leave a school, a football team, and a coaching legend's legacy tarnished forever. So while I have tried to stay away from writing about the negatives of sports, I am going away from my rule for this post. And it may not be my last.

  When we all first heard about the mess and the activity of Jerry Sandusky, some of us stood behind Paterno. Yes, we all felt he should have done more to stop Sandusky, but we didn't know specifics and details of how this all transpired. My opinion, at first, was "well Paterno is old and probably didn't understand the severity of the situation." Now after the internal investigation has been done, the facts are finally coming together. And this becomes a more disturbing story.

  Joe Paterno has done an amazing job at Penn State, on the football field. In fact, I think that was his greatest and worst accomplishment. His pride got in the way of his morals. He helped keep it hidden. He knew it if this had gotten out in the open it would affect the university. Whether his concern was more for the football program or the actual university, I don't know. But it is very clear that Joe Paterno wanted this to remain hidden. This man wanted to be the best football coach ever. He wanted it so bad that it cost him his legacy. He may have the most wins in football, but ask anybody what comes to mind when you say Joe Paterno. Coaching Legend, Coaching Icon, or Father Figure? Nope, scratch all that out and you can replace whatever used to come to your mind with any number of negative things now. Disappointment. Betrayal. Deceptive. Tragic. Liar. You name it.

  Paterno was so caught up in doing what all coaches try their best to do instead of what was morally right. Now, when you turn on ESPN, all you see and hear about is "what has Paterno's name on it and should we take it down or leave it?" His statue is a pretty sore subject. Bobby Bowden even chimed in and said it should be taken down. It should be a no brainer. It has to come down. If it stays up, watch some Penn State football games this year, and the next, and I promise you they will show the statue every game. It will remind people of that has happened. It will bring back negative memories. That's what he will be remembered for, not wins, not national championships, not conference championships. If it was up to me, I would rip down the training facilities, the coaches' offices, and the locker room. Build a whole new facility. If Penn State wants to move out of this shadow and put it behind them, they have to put a new look on the university. Unfortunately, Penn State can't even think about that until all the civil suits are settled.

  Who really knows what was going through Paterno's mind when he learned about the other side of Sandusky? When I say Florida State Football, who comes to mind? Bobby Bowden. When I say Nick Saban? Univeristy of Alabama. University of Tennessee? Phillip Fulmer. In today's world, a school is known for their football coach. He is the face of the program. University of Florida? Coach Spurrier and Urban Meyer. There is no way around it. Penn State must distance themselves as far as they possibly can and as fast as they can for there to be a quick recovery. I am not saying to forget about those who have been victimized by all of this. Those who are guilty must be exposed and removed from Penn State entirely. Don't pick and choose what you want his name on.....just let it go.

Next week I will get to several reader questions and finish out the Preseason Top 10 countdown with my final 3 teams. Hold on tight, Media Days are in full swing and we are getting close to the 2012 Football Season. Thanks for reading and reader questions can be sent to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com