Penn State coach Joe Paterno and a troika of his players made the circuit in Chicago on Thursday at the kickoff of the Big Ten Conference Media Days.
Paterno, as usual, made the biggest news. Not only among the Penn State contingent, but among the entourages of all dozen Big Ten teams in attendance.
Healthy again, the 84-year-old Paterno said he thinks he can coach a few more seasons — he is entering his 46th season as head coach and 62nd overall at Penn State.
“Right now, I’m looking at four-five more years,” said Paterno, adding with a shrug: “I may be optimistic, I don’t know.”
The Nittany Lions, who were 7-6 last season after losing three of their final four games, could use some optimism in 2011. After opening with Indiana State on Sept. 3, they host Alabama the next week in Beaver Stadium. They close the regular season at home against Nebraska (Nov. 12), followed by road contests at Ohio State (Nov. 19) and Wisconsin (Nov. 26).
Media covering the conference throughout the country think the Nittany Lions will be strong in at least one regard. Penn State junior linebacker Michael Mauti was named to the conference’s inaugural “Players to Watch” list. One player from each Big Ten team was selected to the preseason list. Mauti is a candidate for the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy.
In addition to Mauti and Paterno, Nittany Lion wide receiver Derek Moye and running back Joe Suhey took part in the day of interviews.
COVERAGE ON THE WEB
Here are links to a variety of interviews, photos and videos from the Big Ten Media Days on Thursday:
Joe Paterno’s Main Press Conference, from the Big Ten Network
Transcript of Paterno Press Conference, from ASAPSports.com
Follow-up meeting with the media, from FightOnState.com (Paterno’s pronouncement about continuing to coach begins at the 3:17 mark)
Penn State Blog, by Tony Mancuso of Penn State’s Athletic Communications department
Earlier Coverage:
Penn State Football: Paterno’s Tunnel Vision for 2011 (July 27, 2011)
