State College, PA โ Joe Paterno, the longtime head coach of Penn State football and the winningest coach in major college football history at the time, passed away on January 22, 2012, at the age of 85. His death came just over two months after his departure from the university amid controversy.
Paterno, affectionately known as “JoePa,” had been battling lung cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2011, shortly after he was dismissed by Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal. Despite his abrupt exit from the program he helped build into a national powerhouse, Paterno remained a beloved figure among many Penn State fans and former players.
During his 46-year tenure as head coach, Paterno led the Nittany Lions to two national championships, in 1982 and 1986, and amassed 409 career wins. He was known not only for his success on the field but also for his emphasis on academics and character development among his players.
His family released a statement saying, “He died
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