80-year old Penn State coach Joe Paterno was speaking at a fundraiser in Pittsburgh yesterday when the topic turned to the recent motorcycle accident of former Nittany Lion linebacker Lavar Arrington. The coach opined that it might actually be a good thing for Arrington because it might make him more aware of his own mortality. Paterno's most recent brush with mortality came on the sideline last season when two players barrelled into him on the sideline and broke his leg during a game against Wisconsin. Perhaps that's why he was evasive when asked about his plans following the 2008 season, the last year covered by his current contract.
Paterno has a contract that runs through the 2008 season. He laughed off a question about whether he would seek an extension. He joked that he might lobby Penn State athletic director Tim Curley, who was in the room, for two more years, so he could fire Curley if the AD proved to be too annoying.
Paterno should probably only discuss extensions with his maker at this point in time. He's 80, for one thing, and there's really no way for PSU to get rid of him unless he's ready to retire. And also because apparently State College operates under the rarely seen hierarchy of football coach above athletic director so why bother going through the motions of contract negotiations.
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