PENN STATE Paterno intends to stay as coach

Joe Paterno said he is focusing on recruiting and a turnabout for next season.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
PHILADELPHIA -- Joe Paterno said this weekend that he has thought of nothing but recruiting since the end of his worst season in 38 years as Penn State's head coach, and that he expects no changes on his coaching staff.
Paterno, who will turn 77 today, also reiterated his intention to remain Penn State's head coach unless the university tells him otherwise.
Paterno will enter the final year of a five-year contract next season. Asked if he hopes to discuss a contract extension with the administration, Paterno said he hasn't even thought about it.
"I don't have any plans except to go on recruiting and see if we can get the best group we can get," Paterno said during a teleconference, in his first comments to the media since Nov. 22, when Penn State finished a 3-9 season with a 41-10 loss at Michigan State.
"When that's done, we'll sit back and try to figure out if there's something we can do a little bit better."
Humphrey unlikely to return
Paterno also said it was unlikely that receiver Maurice Humphrey would be on the team next season.
Humphrey, who appeared to be developing as the go-to receiver the Nittany Lions lacked this season, was expelled from the university after he was charged on Nov. 23 with one count of felony assault and three counts of simple assault that stemmed from an altercation with a man and woman at a campus apartment complex. Humphrey did not accompany the team to Michigan State because he broke a team rule, according to Paterno.
"Obviously, Maurice has some problems," Paterno said. "Right now, I would doubt very much if he would be able to play for us next year, but you never know."
Has faced criticism
Paterno has faced more criticism from reporters and Penn State alumni and fans than at any other time in his legendary career. The Nittany Lions have had three losing seasons in the last four.
The nine losses this season were the most by a Paterno-coached team. During Paterno's first 34 years as head coach, Penn State had only one season in which it finished below .500.
"This was the first time I've been around a team that lost that many games," he said.
Nonetheless, he sounded determined to stay on the job until he turns the team around. He spoke excitedly about the incoming freshman class, which is headed by Strath Haven linebacker Dan Connor.
"I feel great right now, except for a little flu. I'm excited about the team," Paterno said.
"We have a lot of good, young kids. I think recruiting has gone well. I get up in the morning and I'm ready to go to work. Now, can I do that for 10 more years? You know, when you're 90, it's kind of tough to be a head football coach."