JOE PATERNO, LONG TIME COACH AT PENN STATE, DEAD AT 85

STATE COLLEGE, PA – January 22, 2012 – Joe Paterno, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1966 until 2011 died of lung cancer Sunday at age 85.

Paterno died at 9:25 a.m. of “metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung.” as detailed in a statement released by Mount Nittany Medical Center. Surrounded by family at the time of his death, Paterno had an exceptional career which included more wins than anyone in major college football. He won 409 games and took the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and two national championships. More than 250 of the players he coached were drafted to the NFL. (espn.com)

"He will go down as the greatest football coach in the history of the game," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn State 37-24 in the 2011 Outback Bowl. (espn.com)

His family, though requesting privacy, released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death:

"His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled…..He died as he lived," the statement said. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community." (espn.com)

Paterno’s career ended controversially after he was fired from Penn State following the aftermath of a child sex abuse scandal.

For inquiries, please contact Erika Gore at erika.gore@snhu.edu