Bobby Bowden (FSU) or Joe Paterno (PSU), Who Will Go First?

The two grand old men of college football both made news this week. Penn State’s Joe Paterno, about to start his 43^rd year of coaching the Nittany Lions, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Paterno, who has won has won 372 games at Penn State in his 42 years as head coach, said of his induction at South Bend, "I’d rather do it now than when I’m dead."

Paterno said that he has always wanted to do what was best for the game and for Penn State. "I've tried to be good for college football. I'm not saying I've been the best coach. But I've worked hard to be good because I really love college football."

His 372 wins puts him just one win behind Florida State legend, Bobby Bowden, who made news at the ACC Media Day this week.

Bowden put aside the rumors that he might retire any time soon. "I'm still the head football coach," he said.  "But I know we've got to win more than we're winning now. I'm not interested in getting out, though. I plan on getting this thing back to where it ought to be, and go on from there. Time will tell."

Bowden, who will be 79 in November, said, "My goal is to get back to the top, but if we get there, we're not going to stay there. There's too many good teams in this conference."

Personally, I feel that both coaches have stayed way beyond their time as far as their programs are concerned. At least five and maybe even ten years ago they should have stepped down and turned the reins over to younger coaches.

But, at the same time, the fact that they have stayed on has added to the traditions of college football. It has probably contributed to their mental health if not their emotional health as well.

Writing this piece, I couldn’t help but think of Alabama’s Bear Bryant and how he never really got to enjoy his retirement, dying shortly after he left the game. I certainly hope that when Paterno and Bowden hang up their chalkboards, if they ever do, their final offseason will be long and joyful.

So, that brings up the question. Which one do you think will retire first? Bowden or Paterno?

From the way he is talking about rebuilding the Seminoles’ program, I would say, if Bowden remains healthy, he will be around longer than Joe Pa.

What say you?