On September 16, 1966, Joe Paterno earned his first win as a college head coach. This Saturday, November 6th, 2010, Joe Paterno earned his 400th win as a college head coach. 400 wins. This is the highest win total for any head coach in the history of FBS football. On Saturday night, Paterno was, as usual, one step ahead of everyone else, as he turned back the clocks a night early.
Joe Paterno defines Penn State football. He defines the motto, “Success with Honor.” He built the Penn State program into what it is today: a top 10 program in the history of college football, a program with one of the most loyal fanbases in college football, and a program that can support and fill a 107,000 seat stadium on a weekly basis. Joe Paterno is the best coach in the history of college football, and regardless of how long one may think he has left at this level, he commands nothing less than the utmost respect.
Stats tell only half the story with Joe Paterno, but it is an impressive half of a story: 400 wins, a 75% winning percentage, a 27-13 bowl record, 2 National Championships, 5 undefeated seasons, 45 years as head coach, and 61 years on the Penn State coaching staff. Joe is statistically one of the greatest head coaches of all time.
The other half of the Joe Paterno story means just as much to Penn State fans: High graduation rates, development of players’ character, philanthropy with the university (donated millions to renovate the on-campus library), loyalty to Penn State, interactions with the fans, and over a half century of dedication to the university he loves.
On Saturday evening, at Beaver Stadium, Penn State beat Northwestern and gave Joe his 400th win in impressive and compelling fashion. After falling behind 21-0, Penn State scored in the final minute of the half to cut the deficit to 14, with the Lions set to receive the ball to begin the 2nd half. As soon as the 2nd half started, the game belonged to Penn State. The crowd was as loud as I’ve ever heard it at Beaver Stadium, the players constantly pumped up the crowd, and the defense thrived upon the atmosphere. The Northwestern team could neither stop the Penn State offense nor move the ball on the Penn State defense. Penn State scored 35 unanswered points to defeat Northwestern 35-21 in front of a crowd of over 104,000.
When the final whistle sounded, the players lifted Joe into the air and rushed the field. After nearly 10 minutes of celebration, the still packed Beaver Stadium was addressed and was shown a Joe Paterno tribute video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Hlyge3hWQ). Then, Joe addressed the crowd, and said, “People ask me why I’ve stayed here so long, and you know what, look around. Look around. I stay here because I love you all!” After thanking President Spanier, all the players that have played under him, his coaches, and the fans, Joe concluded, “Now that the celebration is over, lets go beat Ohio State!”
A coach who built a program around intensity, toughness, ethics, honor, and passion, Joe Paterno is always looking forward to the next game. Here’s to win number 401.
I just hope 401 is against Ohio State.