Successionist Party

Talk has officially grown to roar on Joe Paterno's possible succession plan at Penn State. Partly due to West Virginia losing Rich Rodriguez to Michigan, and taking interest in ICOD Tom Bradley, and partly due to the recent announcement of Jimbo Fisher as the "Head Coach In-Waiting" at Florida State, the Penn State football nation has clamored for an outline of the program's future--any future.

The cries for his retirement plan have only made Paterno more tight-lipped about the issue. Rumors of him leaving have swirled around Happy Valley since the New England Patriots tried to woo him in the early 1970s. But that wasn't talk of retirement. Many believed that Paterno would go after he won his second national championship in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, capping his first undefeated championship season. He didn't go anywhere, instead staying to reel off some of the most underachieving years in the Paterno era at Penn State--8-4, 5-6, 8-3-1, 7-5.

Then it happened, the perfect opportunity. From 1991 through 1994, Penn State landed itself into three New Years Day bowls and 49 wins over that span. Above all, the 1994Lions were considered by many as national champions, sporting a 12-0 record. Penn State was ready for Paterno to say "I'm done." But again, it didn't happen. Another close call came in 1999, when ICOD Jerry Sandusky left. But Joe remained.

Now, with many big-time programs like Florida State, Michigan and Wisconsin giving advanced notice of their coaches' plans, Penn State fans are wondering why Tim Curley and Paterno are keeping mum on the issue. Paterno has said time after time that he would like one more undefeated season, especially after coming so close in 2005. He mentioned that although he doesn't hold stock in records, stats and public opinion, he would like to have a perfect year in each decade he's coached. He's only got three seasons left to do it.

Penn State is not known for its element of surprise when it comes to almost anything, but there's a very real chance the events of the past week and a half could spark a sudden change of heart in the Lasch Building. While it would catch many off guard to see a press conference called sometime before Coastal Carolina comes to town, announcing a succession plan, I wouldn't be that shocked. Penn State is conservative. Penn State is old school. But above all, Penn State is Joe Paterno, and no one will call the shots but Joe Paterno.