Penn State Football: 9 Questions for Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno is a Penn State and college football legend. He is the all-time leader in wins among Division I coaches.

Penn State has struggled to keep their place on the national scene. Subpar seasons combined with subpar talent have failed to meet lofty expectations in Happy Valley.

Paterno is partially to blame for the Nittany Lions' decline. He is not active on the recruiting trail, and recently he has not been as active coaching on Saturdays either.

Penn State fans question Paterno on many levels.

Many of these questions have not, and may never be, answered.

How Will Penn State Recruit Well If Their Head Coach Doesn't Recruit at All?

Penn State has failed to recruit elite talent in the recent years. Derrick Williams and Justin King's 2005 class seems distant. Williams was the top recruit in the nation.

The Nittany Lions simply do not land high-profile recruits like Williams very often. Recently, they haven't at all.

Joe Paterno doesn't take recruiting trips. How are athletes supposed to take a program seriously if their head coach can't attend their home for a visit?

Penn State has been hurt by their lack of elite athletes. Paterno's lack of availability is a major reason for the talent shortage.

Do You Really Believe Your Son Knows How to Handle Quarterbacks?

Penn State has not had a quarterback with NFL potential since Kerry Collins. That was 1994.

Since 1994, Penn State has had a jumble of so-so signal callers. Most of these entered Happy Valley with little or no hype whatsoever.

Anthony Morelli is the biggest exception. Morelli was one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation when he entered Penn State out of Penn Hills High School in 2003.

Morelli never panned out. No quarterback has really panned out for the Nittany Lions.

Michael Robinson won an Orange Bowl in 2006. However, he was more of a leader than a quarterback.

Jay Paterno is Penn State's quarterbacks coach. Yes Joe he is your son, but do you really believe he understands what it takes to coach quarterbacks at this level?

Recent history speaks for itself.

Do You Enjoy Lighting into Your Coaching Staff in Front of a National Audience?

Chances are if you have watched Penn State you have seen Joe Paterno rip into one of his coaches. At least once a game, Paterno finds someone to make a whipping boy.

Obviously, Paterno is the head coach and he holds jurisdiction over everyone on the Penn State sidelines. But is it really necessary to embarrass a fellow coach?

It can't feel good to be berated by Paterno. It doesn't look good in front of fans, and it sends the wrong message to Penn State players.

The Nittany Lions must be one unit from top to bottom in order to be successful.

There is no room for Paterno to openly throw his frustration at his coaching staff. Especially, if they are doing more work than he is on game day.

Why Has Penn State Fallen?

Joe Paterno never seems to be happy after a Penn State game. Regardless of a Nittany Lions' loss or a victory.

This is a basic question. Paterno is not going to say he has anything to do with Penn State's recent mediocrity.

So what would he say is the reason?

Maybe Paterno doesn't see Penn State's decline. Maybe he sees it as a natural occurance in the ebb and flow of college football dominance.

Either way, Paterno must have an idea of where he would point the finger.

Why Can't You Decide on a Quarterback?

If you have two quarterbacks, you have none. That is how it works at any level of football.

Quarterback is a position meant for one player. If a team doesn't have one clear cut choice, chances are neither candidate is special.

Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden have battled through the first six weeks for the starting quarterback job. McGloin seems to be the leader at this point, but this situation probably has at least one more twist.

Neither McGloin or Bolden are elite. Neither probably ever will be.

In that case Joe, go with who is ready to win now. McGloin has proven his ability more than Bolden at this point.

He is the logical choice.

Logical or not, just make a choice.

Does Penn State Artificially Manufacture Linebackers, Honestly?

Penn State may have a top secret facility to biologically engineer heat-seeking linebackers. It would explain the undying consistency of Penn State's linebacking core.

The Nittany Lions always have superb talent, and depth in the middle of the field.

They are known as "Linebacker U" for a reason. Penn State's only given success every year lies at that position.

Michael Mauti was lost for the 2011 season with a torn ACL against Eastern Michigan. Thus far, Penn State's defense has not missed a beat without their best player.

For anyone familiar with this program, this should come as no surprise.

Will You Ever Name a Future Replacement?

Bobby Bowden named Jimbo Fisher as his replacement before he stepped down from Florida State. Joe Paterno needs to take a page out of Bowden's book before he departs from the Penn State program.

Major college football programs need stability. Penn State is somewhat stable, but everyone knows Paterno's final days are coming sooner rather than later.

Recruits want to know who they are playing for. Will Paterno last four more years for this incoming class?

That is totally up in the air.

Paterno's uncertain future will continue to hurt Penn State recruiting. Especially if he does not name his successor.

Who Would You Like to See as Your Successor?

Rumors have circulated concerning Joe Paterno's replacement. Fans and analysts around the nation have weighed in on who will replace the ageless wonder on the Nittany Lions' sideline.

Urban Meyer is the newest rumor swirling around the Penn State campus. Meyer and Paterno have a close relationship, and the rumors do not appear to be all smoke and mirrors.

Fans have weighed in, now who would Paterno like to see take over?

Meyer's friendship and obvious success at Florida would have to make Paterno feel pretty good about the post-Paterno direction of Penn State.

Paterno will have a say before his reign comes to a close. Who will he lobby for?

It could easily stay in-house among the Penn State coaching staff. However, Meyer and other outside choices may be the best option for a new direction.

If Not Now, When?

Joe Paterno knows his window is closing. Sooner or later, he is going to have to pass the reins off to a new head coach in Happy Valley.

The question is, if not now, when?

Paterno could hang it up after this season. Penn State is 5-1. A great and unexpected triumph through the first six weeks of the season.

Going out on a high note should appeal to Paterno's legacy.

At this point, why wait another four or five seasons, Joe?

There is nothing left to accomplish as a coach, and Penn State is not ready to make one last National Championship run for their faithful leader.

Go out following a successful season. Don't over do it. Leave a wonderful legacy with dignity intact.