Lost Luster

For just a moment, let’s look at two of college football’s all-time great coaches, Joe Paterno of Penn State University and Bobby Bowden of Florida State University. They are currently the number 1 and number 2 most winning college football coaches ever. We aren’t talking about a couple of guys in a black & white photograph from an era none of us can claim. These are two men who have been a part of our football lives for, well, for all of our lives. Several National Championships, many, many conference titles and bowl victories and a very long and impressive list of players that populate the NFL. In addition, they have been mentors to young men from varied backgrounds, some from strong, traditional, financially secure family units and some that were raised by non-family members because of troubled lives of parents or player. Between those two scenarios are others, each with a different challenge. Through them all, Coach Paterno and Coach Bowden have embraced not only the players, but, their families too. These two legends, by all accounts, are philanthropic, great husbands and fathers and role models in the community.

It saddens me to think that, after all that and more, they seem to have lost some luster. In the case of Coach Paterno, it seems to be evident to everyone but PSU fans that the Nittany Lions are scheduling games that tarnish the “Paterno Patina”. It certainly isn’t their fault they play in a weak Big Ten conference and must play a certain number of conference games. It’s the out of conference games they schedule that has hurt. It comes across to most as an easy way to pad the win total. In the larger context, it is hurting the overall program. Do recruits considering Penn State really want to play Akron and Youngstown State on a regular basis? Is that going to be their best career move?

Coach Bowden faces a different PR challenge. It’s unfortunate that vacating wins due to ineligible players is costing him any real chance to make the win total race more competitive, but, it’s the rules. He is the man who is supposed to be ensuring these situations do not occur at Florida State, and to Florida State footballers. Now, his personal plea, the schools appeal and the pleas of friendly coaches on his behalf seem an act of desperation. Beyond that, it just seems wrong. It’s especially sad when you consider all that came prior with Coach Bowden.

A few years from now, these great coaches, and even greater men, will have left the game as the number 1 and number 2 most winning college football coaches ever. I am so glad I witnessed all of it, but, as the end approaches, there seems to be some lost luster.