STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker)—Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who turns 82 next month, has every intention of coaching next season.
Paterno, whose 382 career victories are the most in the Football Subdivision, told a crowd of approximately 6,500 fans during a pep rally on Friday that he will return in 2009 and, “and run out of that tunnel next year.”
Paterno stood and spoke for 15 minutes without the cane he has used since injuring his right hip earlier this season. He recently admitted that he needs hip replacement surgery and will have it soon. The injury has caused Paterno to coach several games from the press box.
Paterno’s eighth-ranked Nittany Lions (10-1) can clinch at least a share of the Big Ten Conference title and Rose Bowl berth with a win over No. 15 Michigan State (9-2) on Saturday.
There had been rumors that JoePa would announce his retirement following the game.
Courtesy Rivals.com
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