Joe Paterno Should Avoid Penn State Scandal Questions at Press Conference

Joe Paterno is expected to face a quote-hungry group of media members for the first time since the Jerry Sandusky scandal erupted Saturday. Penn State has made it clear to the media that Paterno's comments will be strictly about football matters and nothing else (via Boston Herald).

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"Media planning to attend Tuesday’s Penn State Football weekly teleconference are advised that that primary focus of the teleconference is to answer questions related to Penn State’s Senior Day game with Nebraska this Saturday," a Penn State spokesman wrote in a note.

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And that's the way it should be, whether people like it or not.

Paterno is the head coach of a football team preparing to face its biggest test of the season on Saturday. He hasn't been charged with any crimes and must remain focused on his job. He has already issued a statement and cooperated with the investigation.

With an 8-1 record, including a 5-0 mark in Big Ten play, the Nittany Lions are in good shape when it comes to playing for the conference title and a possible BCS berth. Paterno owes it to his student-athletes to maintain a level of calmness.

If he starts getting worked up about the subject, it will become even more difficult for the Nittany Lions to perform at a high level Saturday.

The 84-year-old legend has seen a lot of things during his tenure at Penn State, but there has never been backlash quite like this. Paterno knows he can only do more harm to his reputation by speaking publicly about it, so he won't.

He's probably been briefed about what to say when the topic undoubtedly gets brought up and anybody seeking further insight is going to be deeply disappointed.

It's still to early to know if Paterno can survive the scandal and maintain his place as the leader of Penn State football. He isn't going to put that position in any further risk on Tuesday or in the immediate future by divulging any details he hasn't already discussed.

The job of a football coach is to win games, and Paterno has done that more than any other coach in Division I history.

He has every right to spend Tuesday's press conference focusing on adding another victory to his résumé and not an issue that is a no-win situation.