Why isn't there more of an outcry for Joe Paterno's departure? As a huge PSU fan it’s obvious that Penn State football is no longer among the elite. We even got out recruited by 5 other Big 10 teams this year. I hope we make a run for the Big 10 championship this year. Regardless, he needs to leave at the end of this year!! – PSU1

A: You had more of a leg to stand on if this was 2004. Since going 7-16 in 2003 and 2004, Penn State has gone 29-9 with a Big Ten title and three very, very nice bowl wins (Florida State in the 2006 Orange Bowl, Tennessee in the 2007 Outback, and Texas A&M in the 2007 Alamo). You’re right in that Penn State might not be among the national-title elite like it was when it first joined the Big Ten, but Paterno did a fantastic job of turning things around since it looked like the era was over just a few years ago. Paterno doesn’t need to step down, especially since the team is almost certain to win at least eight games yet again this year, but he needs to get succession talk in place if he wants to have a say in it. There’s a sizable portion of the Nittany Lion nation that loves JoePa, and always will, but are secretly jealous of Michigan for being able to go outside the fam and get a Rich Rodriguez; that’s not likely to happen in Happy Valley. Whenever the Penn State job opens up it’ll be the sweet gig in whatever year that is, and the program will likely have its pick of top-shelf coaches. I think Paterno will end up pulling a Bob Knight/Fidel Castro, wake up one morning and realize it’s time, and hand the reins over to his son, quarterback coach Jay Paterno.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/731052.html

I found that jem while at work and got to thinking about what a difference a year makes. That was posted 2-22-2008.

Not only do we stand no chance of contending for the national title, but were secretely jealous of Dick Rod. It was much funnier until he mentioned Jay though.