Joe Paterno: Former Penn State Coach Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has been diagnosed with lung cancer, according to his son Scott.

Paterno's son also announced in a short statement that "his doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery" and that:

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"As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds with treatment."

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The 84-year-old had checked into the Mount Nittany Medical Center on Wednesday night for treatment, though his reasons for doing so were not disclosed at that time. Doctors reportedly discovered the ailment last weekend.

Paterno, who spent 46 years as the head coach of the Nittany Lions, was fired last week amidst the unfurling of the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal that has since rocked the sleepy community of Happy Valley. He was replaced by longtime assistant Tom Bradley ahead of Penn State's Senior Day game against Nebraska this past Saturday.

JoePa's health had been in decline for several years, with injuries on the sidelines and in practice forcing him to coach from the press box off and on since 2006. Paterno fractured a shin bone and tore ligaments in his knee when he was struck by a player's helmet during a game between Penn State and Wisconsin in November of 2006. He underwent successful hip replacement surgery two years later after attempting to demonstrate onside kicks in practice. This past August, JoePa suffered hairline fractures in his hip and shoulder from a collision with a player in practice.