On Sunday Joe Paterno will celebrate his 82nd Birthday, he has received his early birthday present from Penn State in the form of a three year contract extension. So through 2011 JoePa will be where he has been for 43 years, Head Coach of the Nittany Lions.
The 2008 season not only marked his 43rd year as Head Coach but also his 59th year as a member of the Penn State coaching staff. An amazing record for anyone in any career.
His health is good and rehab from his hip operation in late November is going well. During the season, since late September, he could not coach from the sidelines and he is looking forward to being there soon.
During his years at Penn State he has had offers to coach college football at Michigan and Pro Football for the Pittsburg Steelers. He also turned down the New England Patriots where the deal included part ownership.
JoePa is reported to make around $500,000 per year not counting bonuses or outside income. His salary is no where near some of the top paid coaches in college ball, some who make millions.
His awards over the years are numerous and include already being a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2007 and offically enshrined in July of 2008. Other awards during his career include: The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, no less than three times, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award in 1986, the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award again three times, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award,and the Bobby Dodd coach of the Year Award twice.
If you are wondering how JoePa has done over the years in terms of his Bowl record check these numbers. In 43 years as head coach, this January will mark his 35th time he took Penn State to a Bowl game witha record of 23 wins-10 losses-one tie and coming soon another trip to the Rose Bowl.
Education is and always has been one of JoePas’ number one concerns. In 2008 according to the NCAA’s Graduation Rates Report, Penn State’s four- year Graduation Success Rate of 78% easily exceeds the 67% Division 1 average. Penn State is second only to Northwestern among Big 10 schools.
Joe Paterno is the winningest coach in major College Football history, he coaches my favorite college team.
Happy Birthday JoePa, can I say Living Legend?
Old Head,
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