Paterno not giving up the Penn State ship

Paterno not giving up the Penn State ship
(PHOTOS)
By Ray Parrillo
Knight Ridder Newspapers
(KRT)
PHILADELPHIA -- Mixing humor with emotion, Joe Paterno said on Tuesday he has not been affected by the rising tide of criticism he has received and that he plans to return next year for his 39th season as Penn State's head football coach.
"Well, you know, if the White House called me and said they needed me to go over to Iraq. ... I don't know," Paterno said during his weekly teleconference. "Whether you like it or not, I'm going to be around next year, so relax."
The Nittany Lions, who play at Northwestern on Saturday, were assured of their third losing season in four years when they lost a heartbreaker to defending national champion Ohio State, 21-20, at Beaver Stadium last weekend. The defeat dropped Penn State to 2-7, 0-5 in the Big Ten Conference, and extended its losing streak to five games, its longest since the 76-year-old Paterno became head coach in 1966.
Unless the Nittany Lions win their final three games, they will end up with at least eight losses for the first time since 1931, when they went 2-8.
At first, Paterno said he was not aware of the growing list of alumni, fans and media members who have called for his retirement.
"I haven't seen the headlines. Did they spell my name right?" he asked.
Then, he added, "I've been around long enough to understand what comes with the territory. Honest to goodness, I don't want to be flippant. I understand there are people who have some concerns whether or not we can still get the job done, and they have every right to have concerns.
"I'm not trying to kid anybody that I'm a 30-year-old kid running out there, trying to do things, but I physically feel good. I'm excited about my team. I like what's going on, and if people don't like what I'm doing, fine. I just can't worry about it. I'm not going to panic."
For Paterno, it has been a difficult season on and off the field. Since the summer, four of his players have been charged by officials with drinking-related incidents, prompting some of his critics to suggest he doesn't have as tight a rein on his team as he used to. He has frequently admonished the media for sensationalizing the incidents.
"We've had some kids who have acted like jerks at times," he said. "But we have a bunch of good guys. I like my team. I have no problem with my squad. I have no problem with my staff. I don't think this team has anything to feel sorry about. They play hard. They haven't quit."
Well-known for his generosity to the university through personal donations and fund-raising efforts, and long praised for the academic success of many of his players, Paterno said that while winning is important, he gets more satisfaction out of seeing his players go on to lead successful and productive lives.
Paterno said he was moved when several of his former players went to his home in State College after the Ohio State game to offer encouragement. He took pride in the fact that all of them are African Americans who earned their degrees.
Among them were Blair Thomas, a former Frankford High School star who rates among the greatest Penn State tailbacks. Paterno said Leroy Thompson, Sam Gash, Brian O'Neal and Courtney Brown also visited him on Saturday.
"All of them came over to say, 'Hey, hang in there,' " Paterno said. "They all graduated. All are making significant contributions to society. They're good family people. Now, for me to tell you that wins are more important than that, I can't. Wins are important. I'm not happy. I haven't slept for three nights, replaying the (Ohio State) game. But there's got to be some kind of relationship between how you win and who you win with. I'm just a guy trying to win a few games the way I think it should be done."
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