I'm wondering if Joe Paterno's unwillingness to let go of his stranglehold on the PSU football program is directly connected to him trying to secure a job for Jay.
I have never heard of anyone being interested in Jay Paterno as a head coach or an assistant coach. I realize he was at UVA for a while, but everyone knows Joe got him that job too. His track record with the quarterbacks is horrible as was his time as the recruiting coordinator.
I have spoken to many friends on this subject. Some think the idea of Jay being the next head coach is preposterous. I think we are giving the administration too much credit if we simply rule out the possibility.
For me, I will put it this way: If Jay becomes the head coach, I am severing all my ties to the football program. I will not attend any games or watch them on TV. I will not buy any magazines or subscribe to anything related to the program.
Jay has never earned anything in his career. If he had any guts at all he would go elsewhere and try to stand on his own two feet. If he is named the head coach many will walk away from the program. The criticism of the move will be deafening.
I have a sickening feeling that this is where this is all headed, and it makes me ill to think about it. I have been a PSU fan since I was a kid. I grew up on Franco and Lydell. I am a 1982 grad of PSU. I love the Nittany Lions. The fans and players deserve better than this. We definitely deserve better than Jay Paterno.
I, for one, won't stand for it. I think this may be exactly what the old man is up to. He is trying to outlast all of the assistants or have them leave with the theory that Jay will be the last man standing.
I would love to see Joe step down and the school do a search for Joe's replacement. I could live with Tom Bradley or Larry Johnson. Not Jay.
What set me off is a video I saw of a recruit saying Joe told him he would be there another five or six years. If he is telling people that, he shouldn't be. Also, how does he know anyone wants him there that long?
This all comes down to selfishness. Paterno always preaches loyalty and leadership. Yet he has remained head coach despite not being able to do the job physically. It is sad to see.
I remember the days when he was a real coach. This has gotten absurd and hard to watch.
Thomas G. Mills
Rockville, MD
JoePa is a bargain
I read an article about the salary of Oregon's head football coach Chip Kelly, who makes $2.4 million per year. It's definitely not in anyway comparable to the salary of Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who makes $1.1 million per year.
Perhaps one of the reasons for his longevity at Penn State is at bargain basement rates.
Penn State must hope that Paterno never retires. I'm sure with the stories of the salaries circulating, they'll never get anyone at their current rates.
Oh well, why should I worry?
If Congress does not cancel it, I'll survive on my pension check.
But Penn State fans be alert: Ticket prices, parking and souvenir prices will escalate.
Will Walk Jr.
Tyrone
No faith in DeChellis
As I read the sports page the other day, one headline caught my eye: "DeChellis wins 100th game."
I never saw a headline, "DeChellis loses his 100 game," which came first. Once again, Penn State has a winning record at 7-3, beating up on lower Division I teams.
The three losses are at Mississippi, which lost four starters from last year's team and is a mid-range team in the SEC, a loss at home to a subpar Maryland team and finally to a Virginia Tech team with a 4-4 record.
After watching Penn State play Duquesne and Mount St. Mary's, the Nittany Lions could be at 5-5. After the Maine game, they will enter the Big Ten with an 8-3 record and a returning starting five, some with four years at Penn State.
DeChellis has averaged 12 wins and 16 losses in his eight years at State. Most schools would have changed coaches by now, but Penn State has extended his contract twice.
I can't imagine how many games State will win in the Big Ten with it being such a strong conference. I think they will be lucky to win six. If I'm correct, they will end up 14-15 and once again, there will be no NIT and especially no NCAA.
I personally love college basketball. I only wish the Penn State administration felt the same way.
I have one more suggestion - and that's to put basketball in the new hockey arena and hockey in the Bryce Jordan. Then the basketball arena won't look so empty.
Byron Lasser
Hollidaysburg
Mirror sportswriters criticize too much
Here we go again: The Altoona Mirror sportswriters continue to tell people what to think and how they should feel and act.
I thought the news media was supposed to report the news, not create and distort it.
I am referring to Philip Cmor's column on Nov. 26. He admonishes the Bellwood fans for being upset over a mistake by the officials during the Bellwood-Bishop McCort game.
It is my contention that the "award-winning" Altoona Mirror sportswriters make a living criticizing players, teams, coaches, officials and fans. After the sportswriters create the dirt with their ugly writing, they insist that it is what the fans think.
Yes, the Altoona Mirror will continue their ugly sportswriting.
Al Montanaro
Bellwood
