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Why was Joe Paterno the Greatest Football Coach That Ever Lived?

Reflecting what others have said, I consider him the greatest college football coach that ever lived. A college coach, by definition, should be more than an X and O guy. He should be one who values academics and instills that value into his players. No one did that better than Joe Paterno. Add in his philanthropy which was directed toward the betterment of Penn State for all students, not just football players, and Joe has no peers. Given the nature of college athletics today, and the win at all cost mentality, I doubt we will ever see another coach like him.

Correct you will never see another Joe P. again
 
Please clarify how he brought CFB into the modern era?


I'm not sure my answer applies directly to the issue of "the modern era," but Joe did begin the wave to "speed" on defense. When Joe inserted all those sophomores into the Miami game in 1967, and installed his famed 4-4-3 defense, he showed that athletes that could "run" could be as or more effective than the behemoths that marked prior great defenses.

Joe took ex-QB Dennis Onkotz and inserted him at ILB with ex-FB Jim Kates. He took a QB (Frank Spaziani) and moved him to DE. He took an End (Steve Smear) and moved him to DT, and teamed him with another ex-FB/LB named Mike Reid. He took a slender Safety and put him at OLB (Jack Ham) and teamed him with a converted RB Mike Smith. Thus was born The Rover Boys, a group of relentless pursuers who not only stuffed the opposition's run game (see 1967 vs. #3 NC State) but also pilfered opposing passes to the tune of nearly 3 per game -- in an era where passing was not a team's primary offense.

Yes, Miami became noted for its speed on defense, and now ESPN's talking dunces repeat the mantra about all the SEC schools. But it was the Italian from Brooklyn who made quickness on defense a major weapon and part of the cliché that "defense wins championships."
 
Your question seems to suggest at any level.. And I would say no. He certainly had consistency and success in 4 decades which is incredible. No one is going to like this answer but what Pete Carroll is doing right now is really incredible. After having a dynasty as USC, which he probably cheated at, now he has one going in the NFL. That is pretty incredible. Other great football coaches to consider: Belichek, Lombardi, Bear, Saban, Walsh.

As others have pointed out Joe was by far the best educator. Which in terms of a college coach makes him number 1. Just in football though I don't know that you can say that.[/
 
All take a look today at the story in the New York Post page 24-25. The true tale of athletic stardom splurges, taxes, kids and bankruptcy. Too many of them failed to plan for their future. Ask any player of Joe Pa's it was about the future so a great college football coach like Joe Pa teaching values, making education first and then football would have prevented these players from being broke today. It's not all about the number of wins it about teaching students that life after college football comes with responsibly and honor. Look how many have been arrested, fathering multiple children with multiple women, abuse, drugs, many kids out of wedlock, out of control spending and ending in them being totally broke after making millions of $$$$$.
 
Joe was the greatest college football coach that ever lived for this reason alone: he recognized the importance as well as the unimportance of football in the college experience
Joe was the greatest college football coach that ever lived for this reason alone: he recognized the importance as well as the unimportance of football in the college experience
Sorry you are such a jerk don't need to see your crude response with a photo. I would guess you have not gone to far in life.
 
I think these type questions are almost impossible to answer. People weigh different factors differently. Comparing different eras is a mess (1920s vs 1980s etc). Comparing NFL to college D1 to the lower divisions creates difficulty. I certainly think he's in that upper group of greatest coaches but I think it's impossible to say coach X is the greatest ever.

That said, looking at D1 college football, I think he was clearly one of the top 3- not just because of his all time wins record but because of his focus on academics for his players and his actions to improve the university (like his and Sue's support for the library). What other football coach quoted the Aeneid, the Odyssey and the classics? I'd say none in his era. He truly focused on the student athlete (not just lip service) and also won games. Not many other coaches can say the same.

Check out New York Post today pg 24-25. Athletic Stardom how Pro Players go from hero to $0.00. Who were there high school coaches. It's obvious they did not teach them education first! It's not all about the wins as you can see from this article.
 
Well said.
In his PRIME, 1966-1999, he was the second greatest collegiate coach ever, only behind Bear Bryant, who, unfortunately, he never figured out how to beat. I believe Joe would have EVENTUALLY beaten the Bear had the Bear not tragically passed away, but we will never know.
They were two very different coaches, and the difference was tiny, tiny, tiny, but the slight edge to Bryant for winning the head to head games. Again this is Joe's PRIME, which I have as 1966 to 1999. I do not count the years from 2000 to 2011, as those were years in which his greatness declined, for many and various reasons. Yes, there were good seasons such as 02, 05, 08 and 09, but there were also very very poor seasons, such as 00, 01, 03, and 04. From 66 to 99, the great seasons outnumbered the poor seasons, by a large, large margin.

Take a look at NY Post today how Pro Players go from hero to $0.00.
I guess their college coach did not instill education first as we see it's not all about the wins its what happens to these players as they move on in life..
 
Joe won 409 games at the highest level over 4 decades, 2 national titles - would have been more without media bias, and 5 undefeated seasons. He did so while playing within the rules. Meaning no cheating to get players or bending academic standards to get them to play. No juicing them up with steroids. You cannot say that about Bryant, Bowden, or Osborne. Hayes only could play within one style of the game in a conferenced rigged for him. Joe was 9-1 at age 83, enough said.
 
First, I would say that Joe was the greatest "college" football coach of all time. Why? I have to agree with mbahses above. It's because he was a successful win/loss coach but in his several decades of coaching college ball, he never lost sight of the fact that they were "student/athletes" and not semi-pro players. He always put the player and education above the game. (and several of his losses were a result of this).
If you want a good story you can email me at blatsteinb@yahoo.com, to talk. I know it would interest you because I was asked for a penn state book to publish but I would not give permission. But for a Joe Pa book your in.

check out story today how pro players go from hero to $0.00. Great reason why Joe Pa was the greatest. Maybe if these guys were taught education first they would not be BROKE!
 
Sorry you are such a jerk don't need to see your crude response with a photo. I would guess you have not gone to far in life.

My response was not crude, it was an honest opinion of why I think Joe was the greatest college football coach. Maybe not the greatest coach, taking into account professional leagues, but certainly I feel that he was the greatest college football coach - he simply understood the value of football within the college experience - moreso than other college coaches.

Not sure what my picture has to do with anything, but i I have been working out and trying surfing so I thought I would share my new bod and board - with the board. I am sorry you don't care for my efforts. ;)

I actually have gone very far in life. Better income than the national average, more savings than the national average for people of my age group and little to no personal drama.

But, I appreciate your efforts to make a blanket statement about me. It was very touching.
 
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My response was not crude, it was an honest opinion of why I think Joe was the greatest college football coach. Maybe not the greatest coach, taking into account professional leagues, but certainly I feel that he was the greatest college football coach - he simply understood the value of football within the college experience - moreso than other college coaches.

Not sure what my picture has to do with anything, but i I have been working out and trying surfing so I thought I would share my new bod and board - with the board. I am sorry you don't care for my efforts. ;)

I actually have gone very far in life. Better income than the national average, more savings than the national average for people of my age group and little to no personal drama.

But, I appreciate your efforts to make a blanket statement about me. It was very touching.
'Ro, I was myself puzzled by his response and then noticed that he hasn't yet been on this board for a week. He doesn't get your MO, is all.
 
'Ro, I was myself puzzled by his response and then noticed that he hasn't yet been on this board for a week. He doesn't get your MO, is all.

I am new to blogs. So talking about a great man like Joe Pa and seeing a A-- in my face on a surf board shows a lot of character.
 
Joe was the greatest college football coach that ever lived for this reason alone: he recognized the importance as well as the unimportance of football in the college experience

In other words, he understood football's place in a university. Sadly, the opposite has wrongly been said about Joe the past few years.
 
I am new to blogs. So talking about a great man like Joe Pa and seeing a A-- in my face on a surf board shows a lot of character.
Those of us on this board who have read 'Ro's posts for 15+, whatever, years know more about his character than you do. There's something you're not understanding, you don't get his MO. I'm not going to point it out to you, in any case it's your problem, not ours.
 
You might want to take a course in remedial internet.
Sorry Ro I offended you as I did Not understand your first post with the photo. While working on my book My interest on this blog Is to get some great personal stories about Joe Pa. Being from Pa and a family of many Penn State alumni with one being a player under Joe my goal is to only write a uplifting book about why Joe was the Greatest college football coach Ever. As It is not just about the numbers but the human side of who he was, what made him so great at what he did, how he made people feel, his devotion to PS and why he was loved by many. I have been told it's not a sellable subject but I feel that is incorrect. It's time that it be told and that's my plan. I have 2 other published books but not on this subject. So any help I can get from anyone that has a great story and wants to share that is my motive. Again my apologies.
 
This one is easy to answer, for me anyway.

JoePa was both a great coach, a record setting coach, and a great educator. He imbued his player with a great sense of achievement on and off the field.

JoePa is the best!
 
Sorry Ro I offended you as I did Not understand your first post with the photo. While working on my book My interest on this blog Is to get some great personal stories about Joe Pa. Being from Pa and a family of many Penn State alumni with one being a player under Joe my goal is to only write a uplifting book about why Joe was the Greatest college football coach Ever. As It is not just about the numbers but the human side of who he was, what made him so great at what he did, how he made people feel, his devotion to PS and why he was loved by many. I have been told it's not a sellable subject but I feel that is incorrect. It's time that it be told and that's my plan. I have 2 other published books but not on this subject. So any help I can get from anyone that has a great story and wants to share that is my motive. Again my apologies.
Look in the Sticky Threads section of the board, "Stories posted on this board about JoePa." That would be a good place to start, I think.
 
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