Ahead of his debut season, new Penn State football coach Matt Campbell is taking a different approach by celebrating the legacy of Joe Paterno. This marks a departure from previous coaches who distanced themselves from the controversial former coach.
Joe Paterno, dismissed following the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal, had been kept ‘at arm’s length’ by previous coaches like Bill O’Brien and James Franklin. Matt Campbell, however, has been vocal in praising Paterno’s contributions, even keeping a photo of him in his office and referencing him during public events.
Matt Campbell stated, ‘I think from my end of it, it means the world to me to understand our history, to understand our past.’
As part of the renewed embrace, Penn State is unveiling a Paterno exhibit at Beaver Stadium’s museum. The exhibit includes Paterno’s office desk and various artifacts from his four-decade tenure as head coach. While the library at Penn State still bears Paterno’s name, his statue was removed after the scandal. This exhibit signals his partial return to campus prominence.
Paterno’s legacy as a coach includes two national championships in 1982 and 1986, along with three Big Ten championships. He left behind a record of 409-136-3. However, the Nittany Lions have struggled to replicate such success since his departure.
By aligning with Paterno’s established legacy, Campbell appears eager to lead his team toward new victories, invoking the history that made Penn State a formidable presence in college football.
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