Joe “Pa” Back On Top At 409 Wins
Indianapolis (AFP) – Penn State’s Joe Paterno will again be the winningest coach in major university football history after the National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed to restore 112 victories.
A scandal involving an assistant coach’s misconduct led to the firing of legendary Penn State gridiron coach Joe Paterno, tarnishing his once-iconic legacy with claims he did not do enough to stop an assistant coach, once notified, about an incident of child abuse.
Paterno died in January 2012 from lung cancer at age 85.
In September, with a lawsuit challenging the sanctions pending, the NCAA modified the punishments, removing the university’s post-season ban.
Friday’s agreement completes a proposed settlement of the lawsuit.
Of the 112 gridiron wins to be restored to Penn State, 111 belonged to Paterno. His 409 career coaching wins are the most in the top flight of college American football, ahead of the 377 of former Florida State coach and Paterno friend, Bobby Bowden.
NCAA officials said the settlement would free $60 million committed by Penn State.
“Continuing this litigation would further delay the distribution of funds to child sexual abuse survivors for years, undermining the very intent of the fine,” said Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina and a member of the NCAA Board of Governors.
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