Penn State Football: Paterno Feels ‘Great,’ Sees No Reason to Retire Now, He Says

Joe Paterno doesn’t know when he’s going to retire and hasn’t thought about it, the Penn State football coach said at a press conference Tuesday.

Appearing in Tampa, Fla., with Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer, Paterno said that “I don’t see any reason to get out of it yet. I feel great.”

“I got people that call up saying, ‘When in the hell are you getting out?’” Paterno joked. “I don’t know when I’m going to get out. People think I’m going to get out. People think I’m going to quit this year or next year. I haven’t even thought of it. I honest-to-goodness have not thought of it. The situation around me is very stable.”

When Paterno will retire has been the subject of persistent speculation on the Internet in recent weeks. He and the Nittany Lions will face Meyer and the Gators on Saturday in the Outback Bowl.

Here’s a rundown of media coverage about the Tuesday press conference:

• Paterno calls rumors about his health ‘ridiculous’ (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno to return as head coach (GatorSports.com)

• Joe Paterno says he’s not quitting (ESPN)

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno sees no reason to leave coaching after the Outback Bowl (Patriot-News)

• As Urban Meyer steps away, 84-year-old Joe Paterno not thinking about retirement (Palm Beach Post)

Earlier coverage

• Penn State Football: SuePa Calls Joe Paterno Rumors ‘Lies’ (Dec. 27, 2010)

• Penn State Football: Debunking the Paterno Rumors (Dec. 24, 2010)