Three more years? At what point does Penn State have the courage to dip their toe into the future? With all due respect to Joe Paterno – a great man, a good coach, and the leader of a generally honorable program (recent news-making incidents notwithstanding) – how can Penn State believe that their program is best-led by an 82 year old man?
Obviously the world of college football is a troubled place, where coaches make Faustian bargains with the lives, health, and futures of young adults. A lot of these coaches make their names and their money through the exploitation of these kids and don’t think twice about it. In that sense, Paterno is a nice change of pace. But there are other honorable people in college football too. I think Penn State shouldn’t be afraid to find out about these people.
In a way, Penn State’s successful 2008 season might’ve been the worst thing to happen to them. They’re now nominally committed to Paterno for three more seasons because, I believe, they’re just too scared to let go of the past and embrace the future.
Obviously the world of college football is a troubled place, where coaches make Faustian bargains with the lives, health, and futures of young adults. A lot of these coaches make their names and their money through the exploitation of these kids and don’t think twice about it. In that sense, Paterno is a nice change of pace. But there are other honorable people in college football too. I think Penn State shouldn’t be afraid to find out about these people.
In a way, Penn State’s successful 2008 season might’ve been the worst thing to happen to them. They’re now nominally committed to Paterno for three more seasons because, I believe, they’re just too scared to let go of the past and embrace the future.
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