UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State coaches and administrators reflect on the passing of Joe Paterno, Penn State’s legendary educator, coach and humanitarian, who served the University from 1950-2011.
Penn State Administrators:
“We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary, and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always.
“The University plans to honor him for his many contributions and to remember his remarkable life and legacy. We are all deeply saddened.”
– Rodney Erickson, Penn State President
“This is a tremendous loss for Penn State and the world. Joe Paterno was a great man who was one of the greatest influences on my life and the lives of Penn Staters. For all of us who played for Joe, he taught us so much. He was a teacher and an educator first. He taught us about self-discipline and paying attention to the small details. He built young men from the inside out. He’s famous for saying, ‘If you keep hustling and plugging away something good will happen,’ and we all discovered how true that was.
“Because of the way he led and taught Penn Staters, the world is such a better place, not just because of his direct influence, but because of the influence he had on so many who have graduated from Penn State to positively impact the world.”
– Dave Joyner, Penn State Acting Director of Athletics and former Penn State Letterman
“Outside of my Dad, who passed away when I was a young man and not yet a father myself, Coach Paterno was the most influential and constant figure in my life. For nearly 45 years, I had the honor and privilege of Coach Paterno’s guidance and friendship on a daily basis.
“As a player, I respected him. As a coach, I was in awe of him. And as an administrator, I came to truly know him for his kindness, his generosity, and for how much he truly cared about the staff, his players, and about Penn State.
“In raising my four sons, I have done my best to instill in them the same values that Coach Paterno strived to instill in me and in every player who wore Blue and White. His influence will continue to impact our university and its students on a daily basis for years to come.
“Finally, and most importantly, my boys and I will be eternally grateful to Joe and Sue for the friendship, kindness, and unwavering support they showed us after my wife and their mother passed away. Words can’t express the debt of gratitude we feel.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue, Jay, David, Mary Kay, Diana, Scott, and the entire Paterno family.”
– Fran Ganter, Penn State Associate Athletic Director, former Penn State Letterman and Assistant Head Coach
“As a former Penn State student-athlete and coach, and now as an athletic administrator at Penn State, I have always admired Coach Paterno. He inspired all of us who work in Penn State Athletics to demonstrate pride, honor, integrity, and selflessness. His love for his players and coaches, his love for Penn State, and his love for our community set a very high standard for all of us to follow. And, despite the fact that Coach Paterno was a legend, an icon, he never lost touch with the common man; he was a true friend to so many. We are all better people for having known and worked with him. Thank you, Coach Paterno. And, to the Paterno family, thank you for sharing him with so many people.”
– Jan Bortner, Penn State Assistant Athletic Director
“I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Joe’s passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to Sue and the entire Paterno family. Joe preached and practiced the recruiting of ‘student-athletes’. His commitment to academic excellence and the value of athletics to the overall University experience was unmatched. Traveling to meetings with Joe gave me tremendous Penn State history lessons and I marveled at his ability to remember people, places and dates in all his stories. He cared deeply about and devoted his life to Penn State. He was respected throughout the country for his many contributions.”
– Sue Scheetz, Former Senior Woman’s Administrator and Associate Athletic Director
“I think that Joe made so many contributions in ways that will only come out later on. An example is the whole era of Title IX at this University and his willingness to help with that transition. The other area was his support of the academic advising center. It’s unfortunate what happened recently, but his legacy is secure. There will be many stories to be told and his place here will be enshrined.”
– Ellen Perry, Former Senior Woman’s Administrator and Associate Athletic Director
Penn State Coaches:
“Words seem to pale in a moment such as this. The terms “icon” and “legend” have often been used to describe Joe Paterno. Certainly, he was both within the world of college athletics. But to those of us who played for him, to those of us who coached with him and to those of us who had the privilege to call him a friend, Joe Paterno was much more.
“To me, he was my mentor for 37 years, and the lessons that I learned from him as a player, coach and friend will live on with me forever. It was Coach Paterno who saw what I could be and helped me to realize that potential. He was a tremendous teacher not because he knew all of the answers but because he challenged us to find the answers for ourselves. He made us better men than we believed we could be — both on and off the field. And when we lost our way or became unsure of ourselves, it was Coach Paterno who was there to encourage us, guide us and remind us that we must always strive to succeed with honor.
“Coach Paterno never believed his role as “coach” ended after practice, or when the fourth quarter wound down or when a student-athlete graduated. He was a coach for life. I am deeply grateful to have had Coach Paterno in my life. He was the epitome of class and his spirit will live on in all of us who had the great honor of knowing him and running out of the tunnel with him on so many autumn Saturdays.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Paterno’s devoted wife, Sue, his son Jay, with whom I coached so many years, and with the entire Paterno family during this sad and difficult time.”
– Tom Bradley, former Penn State Letterman, Interim Head Coach and Assistant Coach
“I am honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to work for the greatest college coach of all time. The life lessons that I have learned with Coach Paterno will always be a part of my daily life. I salute a great father, mentor and most important, I salute his life and everything he has given to so many people. I thank you. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
– Larry Johnson, Sr., Penn State Assistant Football Coach
“I feel very fortunate that Coach Paterno gave me the opportunity to be a part of the Penn State Football family. The many lessons I have learned from Coach Paterno about the game of football and life in general would fill volumes. Coach Paterno’s formula for success started with holistic approach to the student-athlete. In Coach Paterno’s eyes, a player’s success in the classroom was just as important as his success on the field. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Paterno family.”
– Ron Vanderlinden, Penn State Assistant Football Coach
“Words could never express how sad Elaine and I were upon learning of Coach’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go to Sue and the Paterno family. I’ve known Joe and Sue for more than 55 years; he has been my coach, boss and most importantly my friend. I consider myself a very fortunate person to have been included in Coach Paterno’s life.”
– Galen Hall, former Penn State Letterman and Assistant coach
“Kathy and I and our family extend our most sincere condolences to Sue and the entire Paterno family. Our Penn State family and college football have lost a great man. It was my privilege to have played for Joe and later coached with him for many years. He had a significant impact on my life as he had on countless others. Joe truly made a difference. His leadership was inspirational to his profession, to his team, and to Penn State University. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten. We love you, Joe.”
– Dick Anderson, former Penn State Letterman and Assistant coach
“I would like to send my condolences to the Paterno Family and all Penn Staters. Coach Paterno has meant so much to me and my family. We have been a part of Penn State football for 33 years, as my father, Joseph Buggs, was one of the first African-American coaches from the South that Coach Paterno reached out to, to come work his camps and be a part of the Penn State Football Family. When I was able to become a part of the Penn State family as a Graduate Assistant coach, I jumped at the opportunity to be mentored and molded from a legend. As my coaching career continues I owe it all to Joe as he has taught me so much about being a teacher and molder of young men. I thank him for allowing me to grow in his program! I thank him for accepting my wife and children into his family. For that, I will be forever grateful. Coach, I love you and the Buggs family will be forever thankful for the many memories that you have afforded us. May you Rest in Peace knowing that your love and deeds are not forgotten.”
– Kermit Buggs, former Penn State Assistant coach
“Coach Paterno leaves an unbelievable legacy. He meant so much to Penn State University, to Penn State Athletics and to collegiate athletics nationally. His commitment to academics and to building his players into men is something I certainly have tried to emulate in my own career. He loved basketball. He would always tell me a story about how he covered (Hall of Famer Bob) Cousy. He just wanted (Penn State) basketball to be successful, really wanted to give us what we needed to be able to compete in the Big Ten on a daily basis – in recruiting, in games, facilities, any amenities – he was all for it. Nobody knows that, because he was humble.”
– Patrick Chambers, Nittany Lion Basketball Head Coach
“Coach Paterno was one of the first people to welcome me to Penn State. He was like a big brother to me, in terms of coaching. He gave me a lot of great advice and positive encouragement in terms of moving the women’s basketball program forward. His passion for Penn State was unparalleled. He loved this place. He loved everything that Penn State stood for and did everything in his power to help me do the same thing for our women’s basketball program. Our players are definitely sad to lose a member of our family, but I think they will use that as fuel today and go out and give their effort in honor of Coach Paterno, because that is what he would have wanted.”
– Coquese Washington, Lady Lion Basketball Head Coach
“I personally am so saddened for the Paterno family. He was an amazing man as witnessed by his incredible consistency, values and stamina to coach for 61 seasons. No one was more respected in the coaching community for the integrity in which he inspired his student athletes to excel in both the classroom and on the playing field. He was the reason I, and so many other students and athletes came to Penn State to uphold the highest standard of excellence in both areas. The pride that we all carry within us as Penn Staters today can directly be attributed to Joe Paterno. As a coaching peer of his for 25 years I feel so blessed, privileged and honored to have learned so much from him. His legacy will always be remembered for the class he displayed every day of his life and the class he instilled in his players in all areas of their lives. It speaks volumes of the man he was by his contributions to Penn State University, its library, its scholarship, and its people. I can only say THANK YOU JOE! THANK YOU Sue, the children and grandchildren for sharing him with us all these wonderful years.”
– Char Morett, Penn State Field Hockey Head Coach
“The passing of Joe Paterno is a tremendous loss for everybody that cares and has cared about Penn State. Joe committed his life to Penn state and certainly my thoughts and condolences go to his family. I want to extend a special thanks to his family for sharing him with not just Penn State community, but college athletics. He was a leader in the field and fought to do things the right way. His impact and contributions will live for well beyond all our tenures here at the university. Personally, it’s a huge loss because I had terrific relationship with Joe and have nothing but respect for him as a coach, a parent and as a mentor to so many.”
– Russ Rose, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
“We lost a great Penn Stater today. I think all the Penn State alumni will understand over his career what he brought to Penn State, not only athletically but how he helped shape the public opinion of what the institution was and has become. The best memory I have of him was in 2008 after we won the national championship. The athletic department threw a get-together to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and Coach Paterno came. I remember looking across the room and he’s ‘holding court’ with my team and the guys were all laughing. He was so great with people. I just really like how he understood how university life was, not just for his players but all students. He wasn’t just caught up in his own world; he understood what his student-athletes were going through.
“When you look at Joe and how he lived his life, loved State College and loved Penn State, anyone who gets into coaching hopes for that for their career. He’s a terrific role model in being part of a university setting and he touched so many people and made their experience at Penn State a well-rounded one.”
– Mark Pavlik, Penn State Men’s Volleyball Head Coach
“Joe Paterno was a great man who stood for everything that was good and right. We have lost a person who cared for all people. He should be remembered for all the greatness he contributed to our University, community and the young men he coached who are now outstanding citizens in our society. He was truly loved and will be sorely missed.”
– Robin Petrini, Penn State Softball Head Coach
“It is impossible to adequately express the profound impact that Joe Paterno had on so many individuals during his tenure at Penn State. He was a coach who always demanded the best from his players. In doing so, he taught them that they could achieve more than they ever dreamed of on the field and, far more importantly, in life itself. He lived in such a way that the name Paterno became synonymous with excellence and honor. He lived in such a way that the name Paterno became synonymous with Penn State. Thirty years ago I was blessed to have the chance to become a Nittany Lion and represent all that Penn State holds dear. Today, I am grateful that I can say that I have shared a place and time with a man who will likely never be equaled in the realm of college sport.”
– Randy Jepson, Penn State Men’s Gymnastics Head Coach
“On behalf of the Penn State Track and Field and Cross Country program, our thoughts are with the Paterno family and all of the Penn State community. The loss of Coach Paterno signifies an end of an era that Penn State was so well known for. As we move forward, the Penn State Track and Field program will continue to strive to represent his legacy and carry ourselves in the first-class manner that Joe did so well. We believe in Penn State and we believe in our people. We thank Coach Paterno for teaching us so much.”
– Beth Alford-Sullivan, Penn State Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Head Coach
“Coach Paterno has had a tremendous impact on so many lives. Lives of people he has never met. He set a standard for us all to follow. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be a Head Coach at Penn State University with Coach Paterno. I will never forget the times spent with him. Success with Honor is what Coach Paterno stood for and we will continue on that same path to excellence on and off the field. “Joe Pa” will be missed but never forgotten.”
– Robbie Wine, Penn State Baseball Head Coach
“I was lucky enough to spend time with Coach on multiple occasions. What I learned from him through his words, but more importantly his actions, have helped shape me into the coach I am today. We may have lost a Great, but his philosophies and values will live with us forever. WE ARE!!!!!!!”
– John Hargis, Penn State Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach
“Coach Paterno will always be synonymous with our university’s motto: Success With Honor. His impact on our community is immeasurable as he has touched the lives of so many over his years at Penn State. I will never forget my first meeting with him and one of our top recruits and her family. He was so generous with his time and instead of discussing Beaver Stadium, the locker rooms, trophies and buildings, he talked in great detail about the people he has surrounded himself with over the years – his coaching staff, support staff, wife, kids and grandchildren. He was a constant reminder of what’s important in life and, for this lesson, I will always be grateful.”
– Erica Walsh, Penn State Women’s Soccer Head Coach
“What you teach others lives forever. I, like so many Penn Staters, came to this great University, in part, because of what Joe Paterno stood for in college athletics. Success with Honor, our mission at Penn State, is a call to purpose that will live forever because of what Coach stood for in his life. Twenty years ago, I read ‘Paterno, By the Book’. Reading his teachings, as a young coach, impacted me greatly and made me consider about what I really wanted my players to get out of their collegiate athletic experience. Joe’s passion for helping others find their potential as players, students, citizens and people was a great gift to the world. He leaves an indelible legacy with an incalculable number of people. We are all so sorry for the Paterno family’s loss of an amazing man.”
– Bob Warming, Penn State Men’s Soccer Head Coach
“When I came to Penn State 20 years ago I did so with the knowledge that I would have the privilege of coaching in a culture at Penn State that was significantly impacted by Coach Paterno. His examples of sound ethics, compliance and sportsmanship are hallmarks of his contributions to the culture of what we called then ‘the Penn State Way’. He truly emphasized the development of the whole person in spirit, mind and body, enabling student-athletes to pursue excellence in the classroom, on the field and in their lives going forward in their communities. He made an immeasurable impact.”
– Greg Nye, Penn State Men’s Golf Head Coach
“I have so much to be thankful for to Joe. I was privileged to be a peer coach for the past 25 years! His example was the template for all of us coaching at Penn State. We proudly mirrored the example of upholding academic excellence, mentoring young people for life and leading them in their athletic pursuits! We can all only hope to carry on the wonderful legacy of Penn State pride he brought to so many.”
– Denise St. Pierre, Penn State Women’s Golf Head Coach
“We prematurely lost the man who was the face and the soul of Penn State, inspiration for all of us and a scale by which we measure ourselves. His legacy and his ideals will live with us. Let peace be with you, Joe!”
– Emmanuil Kaidanov, Penn State Men’s and Women’s Fencing Head Coach
“On behalf of the Penn State lacrosse program, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Paterno family. I will forever be grateful for the time he spent with me and my family. His role as a football coach and humanitarian have left Penn State University, the State College community and the world a better place to live.”
– Jeff Tambroni, Penn State Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach
“As a young coach, there is not a better mentor to have than Coach Paterno. His competitiveness, love for the game, and value of education was truly inspiring. I am so grateful to Coach Paterno and his family for all their contributions and their devotion to Penn State. They have truly built a foundation of spirit, community, and education that is unlike any other in the country. We all are beneficiaries of the great community that has been built from Coach Paterno’s hard work and dedication to Penn State, and we hope to continue to strive for excellence both on and off the field in his honor.”
– Missy Doherty, Penn State Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach
“Everyone associated with Penn State owes Coach Paterno great thanks and gratitude. Myself, our coaching staff and the student-athletes, who we are lucky to work with, all are here largely due to Coach Paterno’s success and influence.”
– Guy Gadowsky, Penn State Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Paterno. His dedication to the entire Penn State community has impacted the lives of so many. Coach Paterno’s demand for academic excellence by student-athletes impacted me first as a student at Penn State and later helped shape my coaching philosophy. I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences to Sue Paterno and the entire Paterno family. He will be greatly missed.”
– Josh Brandwene, Penn State Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach