A memorial to one of the greatest coaches in college football history written by the man who knew him better than anyone: his oldest son and coaching protégé This biography of Joe Paterno by his son Jay is an honest and touching look at the life and legacy of a beloved coaching legend. Jay Paterno paints a full picture of his father's life and career as well as documenting that almost none of the horrific crimes that came to light in 2012 took place at Penn State. Jay Paterno clear-headedly confronts the events that happened with cool facts and with passion, demonstrating that this was just one more case of an innocent man convicted by the media for a crime in which he had no part. Noting that the scandal itself was but a short moment in Joe Paterno's life and legacy, the book focuses on Paterno's greatness as a father and grandfather, his actions as a miraculous coach to his players, and his skillful dealings with his assistant coaches. Available in paperback for the first time, this updated edition provides readers Jay Paterno's perspective on the latest developments at Penn State.

From America’s premier sportswriter, the definitive, #1 New York Times bestselling biography of Joe Paterno. Joe Posnanski’s biography of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno follows in the tradition of works by Richard Ben Cramer on Joe DiMaggio and David Maraniss on Vince Lombardi. Having gained unprecedented access to Paterno, as well as the coach’s personal notes and files, Posnanski spent the last two years of Paterno’s life covering the coach, on (and off) the field and through the scandal that ended Paterno’s legendary career. Joe Posnanski, who in 2012 was named the Best Sportswriter in America by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, was with Paterno and his family as a horrific national scandal unfolded and Paterno was fired. Within three months, Paterno died of lung cancer, a tragic end to a life that was epic, influential, and operatic. Paterno is the fullest description we will ever have of the man’s character and career. In this honest and surprising portrait, Joe Posnanski brings new insight and understanding to one of the most controversial figures in America.

The day after a season-ending bowl game loss Ohio State Coach Ed Hart is told he has one year to win or be fired. With over twenty years of college football coaching experience, Jay Paterno takes you inside the pressure cooker of big-time college football unlike anyone else. Coach Hart must navigate a minefield of issues in academics, recruiting, concussions, sex, race, gambling, agents and more. Almost every day he is presented with decisions that challenge him to weigh his integrity versus the demands of a win-at-all-cost profession.

By America's premier sportswriter, written with full cooperation of Joe Paterno and his family, this account defines the epic life of America's winningest college football coach.

For nearly five decades, Joe Paterno has enjoyed a coaching record that was almost as pristine as his reputation off the field. But for all of his unrivaled achievements, the legendary Penn State football coach may ultimately see his legacy tarnished and eternally defined by a shocking scandal that rocked the world of collegiate sports in the fall of 2011. As the headlines revealed to a captivated global audience, Joe Paterno's discharge as head coach seemed to be the only fitting course of action for the board of trustees to take in the hours following the announced allegations against former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. In Joe Paterno: The Sandusky Scandal Ends A Coaching Legend's Career