No contract, no worries for JoePa

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A decision on a new contract for Penn State’s Joe Paterno is on hold until the end of this season, when the 81-year-old coach’s deal expires.

University president Graham Spanier told The Associated Press in an e-mail that both the school and Paterno, who is entering his record 43rd season as head coach, agree a new contract isn’t necessary right now.

“We are in agreement that a contract would have little practicality given Coach Paterno’s seniority. None of us see that as necessary,” Spanier wrote in the e-mail Wednesday night. “Our preference is to continue to review the status of the program on an annual basis, and we will next do so at the conclusion of the 2008 season.”

Administrators and Paterno have met twice recently to discuss the football program, Spanier said. The two sides typically meet each offseason, though this year’s meetings are drawing more attention because of Paterno’s contract.

“I wish to reiterate my continuing support for Coach Paterno,” Spanier wrote at the beginning of his e-mail, adding later that the sides would continue to “maintain open lines of communication.”

“Coach Paterno has not sought, nor has the University offered, a new contract for Coach Paterno after his current contract concludes at the end of the 2008 season,” he said.

With 372 wins, Paterno is one behind Florida State’s Bobby Bowden for most among major college coaches.

Spanier also praised Paterno as the “most admired and accomplished football coach in America” and said he was grateful for his leadership. He said he did not anticipate making more announcements on the topic in upcoming months.

Two weeks ago, Paterno said he wasn’t worried about his situation, and wasn’t looking for a new contract. He said he would be comfortable going year to year.

“I don’t even care if I get a contract. I’ll be very frank with you,” Paterno said during the spring practice news conference. “I think the university will do what they think is right, whenever the time comes. Right now, I’m very comfortable.”

Paterno later added, “If I’ve got to have a contract to keep my job here, I’m in the wrong place.” He joked he could coach “just another 10 years.”

Last month, athletic director Tim Curley said there was no timetable to make decisions about Paterno’s future.