A college football coach ahead of his first season with a new school is embracing a controversial former coach, a marked shift from how other coaches have handled a delicate situation. Matt Campbell, the new coach at Penn State, is celebrating the legacy of longtime Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno, reports Adam Bittner of USA Today. Paterno, who was fired in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal, had been held "at arm's length" by previous coaches Bill O'Brien and James Franklin, Bittner notes.
Campbell, though, has been "praising his predecessor and embracing the family of" Paterno. "Campbell referenced Paterno multiple times at his introductory news conference and keeps a photo of him in his office at the program’s on-campus Lasch Building," Bittner wrote. Additionally, the school is opening a Paterno exhibit in the museum in Beaver Stadium.
"It prominently features an office desk used by Paterno as well as 'artifacts' associated with his more than 40 years as Nittany Lions coach," Bittner noted. It's not as if Paterno vanished from campus, as the library still bears his name. But his statue was taken down in the aftermath of the scandal, making the museum exhibit something of a return of Paterno to Beaver Stadium.
"What makes Penn State so special is the history of this place. It's who came before us, what they've done, to allow us to have a platform to play in front of this unbelievable crowd." Under Paterno, Penn State was incredibly successful. The Nittany Lions won two national championships in 1982 and 1986, as well as three Big Ten championships.
Overall, Paterno's head coaching record was 409-136-3. Since his dismissal, the Nittany Lions have never truly regained that form, though there have been glimpses of those previous winning ways. Campbell, by invoking Paterno and his legacy, appears to be trying to position himself and the team for more sustained success.
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