The Paterno Chronicles
Penn State football coach Joe Paterno actually implied in a television interview that he might retire some day, perhaps as soon as 2006. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him give a date. Of course, he left himself plenty of wiggle room; if he feels good, he may keep going until 2011. In 2006, when he’s 80 years old, he figures he should designate who his successor is. I think that’s just a formality; it’s been clear for years that Fran Ganter, the Offensive Coordinator, was next up. Ganter came within hours of becoming the Head Coach for Michigan State University about five years ago. At the last minute, he declined. It seemed clear to me at that point that the University probably suggested to Ganter that Paterno couldn’t coach forever, and that he would be first in line to follow him. Since then, Ganter was named Assistant Head Coach, which seemed to solidify his position as crown prince.
Posted at 6:20 AM