TAMPA, Fla. — Joe Paterno said he thinks Tom Bradley deserves consideration for the Pitt head-coaching job.
Paterno has not been approached by Tim Curley or Graham Spanier about a succession plan.
And the Penn State head coach wishes he played Rob Bolden more, both Saturday and late in the regular season.
Paterno met with reporters for 36 minutes Sunday for the last time this season, reflecting on Penn State’s 7-6 campaign and looking ahead toward the future of his program. That future is a storyline that has come up once again this weekend after Pitt head coach Mike Haywood was fired 14 days into his tenure following an arrest on a domestic violence charge. Paterno said he thinks Bradley, his former player and current defensive coordinator, would be a good fit for the Panthers.
“If they ask me, I’ll tell them I think Tommy’s a fine coach,” Paterno said. “He’s got (a) good, strong city of Pittsburgh contacts. He’s got a brother who’s an orthopedic surgeon and the head surgeon for the Steelers and the whole bit. So I think Tommy should be a very, very prominent person as a possibility.” “I think Tommy should be a very, very strong candidate,” Paterno later said, adding: “Tommy’s done a good job; he’s a good recruiter, good coach. He’s organized, and I think he certainly deserves consideration.” Bradley, who just finished his 32nd season on Paterno’s staff, was long believed to be next in line to replace Paterno whenever the 84-year-old is done coaching. But Paterno’s feelings on succession plans have not changed. Asked if Curley,
Paterno said he has not acted on the program’s future beyond him, noting that there are not any guarantees, no matter what the school.
“Would you have predicted what happened at Pitt?” he said.
McGLOIN AND BOLDEN
Redshirt sophomore Matt McGloin threw five interceptions in Saturday’s 37-24 Outback Bowl loss to Florida, prompting questions about the starting-quarterback job heading into next season.
True freshman Rob Bolden won the job originally, but suffered a head injury at Minnesota on Nov. 23. Bolden started two weeks later against Northwestern, although McGloin, the former walk-on, replaced him in the first half and started the rest of the season.
“If I had to do it over again I would probably try to get Bolden in there a little bit because I think Bolden’s a good prospect and he’s probably a little bit discouraged,” Paterno said. “I think other than that I wouldn’t second-guess too much.”
PERSONNEL NOTES
- Paterno said he believes one or two players with remaining eligibility may pursue the NFL, adding that he felt Aaron Maybin would not even get drafted two years ago. Maybin had finished his redshirt sophomore season when the Buffalo Bills drafted him 11th overall in 2009, though the defensive end has struggled to get on the field throughout his two pro seasons.
- Paterno said cornerback Chaz Powell, who played sparingly Saturday, had a “problem,” adding: “I’d like to just leave it at that.”
- Running back Stephfon Green suffered yet another ankle injury Saturday. Green spent much of the Outback Bowl on the sideline in street clothes.
- Paterno said Drew Astorino is a little “shaken up” and “needs to take a break” after playing hurt. A two-year starter at safety, Astorino had missed all of spring practice after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and split time with Andrew Dailey throughout much of the season.
- Paterno said he needs to see nickel back Derrick Thomas’ grades before a decision is made about his future. Thomas has not played since Penn State’s win against Temple on Sept. 25
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