This past Saturday I sat down in front of my TV to watch my number one college team beat Akron. As I watched PSU dominate the game, I could not help but observe Coach Joe Paterno on the sideline. He is one amazing man at the age of 79, I believe. Where does all that energy generate from? Think about these stats:
- served as head coach at PSU for 41 seasons, 57 years as member of PSU coaching staff
- second in all-time career Division I-A victories
- winning percentage of 75% is tied for fifth best among active Division i-A coaches (minimum 10 years)
- ranks 2nd all-time in games coached (475) among major college coaches
- has directed PSU to five unbeaten seasons (1968, '69, '73, '86, '94) and two national championmships (1982, '86)
- all-time leader among coaches in bowl appearances (32) and post season triumphs (21)
- only coach to win the four traditional New Year's Day games: Rose, Sugar, Cotton, and Orange Bowls
- coached 71 first team All-Americans
- Under Paterno, PSU has produced 14 Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes, 24 first team Academic All-Americans and 18 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners.
- eighty-five percent of his players graduate from college
- coached more than 250 players who have made it to the NFL, 30 of them first round draft choices
- has coached players who have won all the major college awards: Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp, Lombardi, O'Brien, Outland, Butkus, Doak Walker and Biletnikoff
- he and his wife, Sue, have contributed more than $4 million to Penn State
- the 135,000 square foot Paterno Libray on campus is named after them
- they have made significant contributions to build the Pasquerilla Spiritual Life Center, dedicated in May 2003
- signed a four year contract extension that extends through the 2008 season.
As I think about Joe pa's accomplishments some thoughts arise about what makes for good coaching, not only in the sport of football, but more importantly, in life. Passion, drive, excellence, commitment, dedication, loyalty, longevity, adaptability, change, core values, character, morals, priorities, persistance, adversity, generosity. I am sure you sport fans can add to the list.
As I watched Coached Paterno pace the sidelines, I noticed that he spent a great deal of time communicating with his assistants. Yes, he spoke to players, but most often he was communicating with his assistants. I relate ministry to that of coaching. Jesus is our ultimate example of an incredible coach. Yes, Jesus was available to the multitudes, but he invested the greatest portion of ministry time with the Twelve. He invested himself in them. Pastoral and minstry burnout can be avoided as we invest ourselves in key people around us. May your seasons be many as ministers of the Gospel.
Who will win the PSU - Nortre Dame game this Saturday? I am a believer - the Nittany Lions, of course.
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