Why It Makes Sense for Urban Meyer to Replace Joe Paterno as Penn State's Coach

Every season for the last few years Penn State has had to deal with coaching rumors. When will Joe Paterno retire? And when he finally does, who will replace him?

Naturally since he will turn 85 years old this year, one would think that his time is coming to an end as far as coaching is concerned.

Now, the rumor mill may heat up even more considering long time defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is an alleged child molester. Along with Peterno's health, this case isn't looking good and may force him to step down a year or two earlier than he would like.

So, who is going to replace the legend that has coached the Nittany Lions since 1966, leading them to a 75 percent winning percentage?

Almost any coach in the country would leave their current position to coach such a prestigious program. Nobody would ever be able to fill Paterno's shoes, but there's one that could do a very good job at trying.

His name is Urban Meyer and it's already been rumored that he has bought some property only a few miles from Penn State's campus.

Urban Meyer left the University of Florida last season with health problems after winning two National Championships and winning 81 percent of his games.

His last game as a head coach was a victory over Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions in the Outback Bowl.

Everybody knows Meyer is not gone from coaching forever, he is only 47 and has so much to offer a lucky university. But it won't be just any school, it has to be a school that is worth coming out of the broadcast booth for.

Penn State is one of those schools.

Meyer has been a winner everywhere he has gone; from Bowling Green State to Florida. He helped put Utah on the map in just two seasons with a 22-2 record including two bowl victories. Then of course, there's what he did at Florida going 65-15 and putting the Gators in position to win a National Championship every season.

Meyer is a top notch recruiter that would put the Nittany Lions in a position to continue their winning tradition. It would also help keep some of those recruits that may consider leaving with this scandal involving Sandusky.

There's no better way to replace a winner like Paterno than to bring in a proven winner like Urban Meyer.

It would make things a lot easier for Penn State to know that their program is in good hands.

Penn State is one of those universities that is expected to win and expected to win now. Meyer knows how this works, he just needs to coaching position to open up.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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