Penn State Football: 10 Pieces of Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

Who hasn't wanted to share their advice with the coach or manager of their favorite team? Now is your opportunity to share some advice you would lend to Penn State head coach Joe Paterno if you were given an opportunity.

I took to the internet in search of what advice you would lend to Paterno, in the event he was willing to listen to what you had to say. I took responses from readers and Penn State fans on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and the blogosphere to keep track of your input and am here to share what you had to say.

A couple of anonymous words of advice were shared as well over the week, and feel free to add on to the advice column in the comments section below.

Paterno knows how to Skype. Who knows, maybe he will check this out at some point as well? 

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Don't listen to the fans, you know better than they do."

—Kyle, @kmart93

At this stage, there is no doubt that Joe Paterno has heard it all. Nothing will scare him off, especially the voice of some fans who are ready to wash their hands and start with a clean slate under a new head coach. The day will come when it is time to change regimes, but Paterno has earned the right to go out whenever he feels ready to do so.

Paterno is entering the final year of his current contact but has made no statements suggesting he is ready to retire. In fact, he is not shy about saying he wants to coach a little longer.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Make [Eric] Shrive & [John] Urshel starters on the O-Line. Give the Freshman DE's a solid look. We need depth at both."

—Rich Turner, @RichTurner79

This season figures to see plenty of youth movement from the quarterback and running back positions, but some fans would like to see a couple of other young guys work their way in to the mix this season. Shrive and Urschel are guys who could make a push for playing time on the line, with Urschel believed to be a strong contender for a spot this season.

The defensive ends will be tested with the loss of Pete Massaro and the uncertain status of Jack Crawford.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

This one is actually a three-part suggestion...

"A) Get a hearing aid

B) [Keep] picking on @CoreyGiger...

C) Name a starting QB"

—Joshua Guiher, @collegiatestdms

While the first two parts may be a tad sarcastic, the third part is one that has been echoed by a number of fans this offseason.

As of the middle of July, Penn State's quarterback situation is almost as foggy as it was last season. Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin both feel they will be the player to beat for the starting job heading into the season. Will the battle play out through camp or will Paterno designate one player as the starter before Week 1 of the season?

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"[Stephfon] Green is not a short-yardage back."

—John Tecce, @JohnTCpsu

The running game will likely be headed by sophomore Silas Redd, but senior Stephfon Green will look to leave his mark this season. One way for Green to make an impact is by being a part of some key plays this season, but do not expect him to be used in short-down situations. His build is not made for plowing up the middle of the line, where Silas Redd is more suitable if not a fullback.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Stay true to your values."

—Anonymous

A few anonymous words of advice trickled in as well. One fan likes the way Paterno has conducted himself and run the program over the years and wishes for it not to be changed. In a year when Michigan and Ohio State were both involved in NCAA investigations and this kind of stuff flooded the headlines (and still does), we are reminded just how easy it can be for a coach to break a rule.

Paterno even admitted that he committed a violation recently, which the school has reported to the NCAA as a matter of procedure. But his slip is very minor compared to what others have been accused of doing.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"It's OK to open up the playbook."

—Anonymous

Another anonymous piece of advice for the iconic head coach reminds Joe Paterno that thinking outside the box in terms of play-calling when on the road. Paterno is known for holding back and playing a little more reserved than usual when on the road. Deep passes are rare and trick plays are even more scarce when in enemy territory compared to when playing at home.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Retire."

—Lynne William

One Penn State fan suggests that it is time to step aside. While that sentiment is certainly shared by a number of Penn State fans, it does have some credence to it. Paterno cares so much about the program, which is part of the reason he has stuck around for as long as he has.

But at some point, will he look at everything and think that the best move for the program to improve and take a step toward building for a national championship would be for him to let someone else take the reins?

Face it: If he has not done so yet, what makes you think he will anytime soon?

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Never let them 'Bowden' you!!"

—Andrea Aveiga

Florida State has been accused by some of forcing former head coach Bobby Bowden into retirement. The southern football coach even suggested that himself, never afraid to tell people he never wanted to leave.

Of course, Bowden also left following a number of various violations and broken rules within his program over the years, and there may have been more pressure to produce on the football field than Paterno receives at Penn State. This pressure came from boosters who were used to Florida State winning ACC titles on an annual basis.

Florida State also used a coach-in-waiting philosophy with assistant Jimbo Fisher named the eventual successor for the Seminoles. Fisher has taken over and quickly done a good job turning the program back into a force in the ACC, going to the ACC championship game in his first year and putting together two very good recruiting classes in his first two springs.

Fan Advice to Joe Paterno

"When it comes to the QB situation, let the competition play out naturally and don't hesitate to remove a guy if he is not performing. This is about wins and sticking to your guns will get you nowhere as was the case with McGloin last year. Give the guys their chances, but put in the guy who gives you the best chance to win even if that is Paul Jones who doesn't have a dime's worth of experience. You didn't let Bolden run the show last year and that was good. This is a time of growth for these young men. Make them earn their playing time."

—Greg Deitz

Patience can be a virtue, and Deitz believes that the best course of action in naming a starting quarterback is to let them each make their case in camp.

This opinion varies from an earlier piece of advice, but makes perfect sense. If Penn State is going to compete this upcoming season then it might be best to hold off on rushing to a decision for the key position on the team.

Fan Advice for Joe Paterno

"Joe, don't listen to the haters. That's all."

—Mike Bianchini

Another fan says that Paterno should just not listen to the "haters," or the fans who just want to see change for the sake of change, if I may paraphrase. And really, there is probably no better way to wrap up this segment on fan advice to Paterno.

After all, he has heard it all before. 

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter or become a fan of him on Facebook.