Even at 80, Paterno still shows who's boss

The Penn State coach is back for his 42nd season at the school.

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune

Last update: August 27, 2007 - 9:27 PM

Penn State coach Joe Paterno missed one game and watched his team's final two games last season from the press box after suffering a broken leg and knee injuries during a sideline collision at Wisconsin.

Paterno, 80, will return to the sideline for his 42nd season at Penn State, but he said he enjoyed certain aspects of coaching from the press box.

"I'm not so sure that it's not the best way to do it," he said. "You see so much more. On the sideline you're a cheerleader most of the time."

Paterno should have plenty to cheer about this season. The Nittany Lions have a senior quarterback in Anthony Morelli, a terrific group of wide receivers and some playmakers on defense, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. The components are in place for a top-tier Big Ten finish.

Paterno, who will break former University of Chicago coach Amos Alonzo Stagg's record for longevity at a single school among major college coaches this season, also showed he still has some spunk in him this summer.

In response to a group of players being arrested and charged for their roles in an off-campus fight, Paterno announced that the entire team -- not just the guys involved -- will clean up trash inside Beaver Stadium the morning after every home game.

When asked what the players' reactions were, Paterno said: "I didn't ask for a reaction. We're not exactly a democracy. I told them this is what you are going to do. I told them when they are picking up a dirty bottle, that maybe they will think the next time before they do something."

Dramatic change

Big Ten coaches were unanimous in their belief that the rule change that moves kickoffs back 5 yards to the 30 will have a dramatic effect this season. Coaches say scoring will go up because of better starting field position.

Although several league coaches said they liked the rule, Purdue's Joe Tiller was the most vocal in his displeasure. He said it could lead to more injuries because of fewer touchbacks.

"The most violent play in football is the kickoff," he said, screaming for emphasis. "So what this is going to do is we're probably going to have a few more injuries and more kickoff returns."

The blame game

Former Iowa quarterback Drew Tate was a popular target for criticism in wake of the team's collapse last season because of his fiery demeanor. Iowa players and coaches heard the Tate-bashing all summer as fans tried to make sense of the team's 6-7 record after a 4-0 start.

In retrospect, coach Kirk Ferentz said it is unfair to pin last season's meltdown on one guy, even if Tate was a lightning rod.

"Every one of us involved have ownership in what took place," Ferentz said. "We all had an opportunity to change things and make them better. Everybody involved in our operation has to be invested. When you go through an experience like that, it makes you step back and face some honest evaluation. It's been a process, but I think we're on the right path now."

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com

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