Joseph Paterno 1926 - 2012

Joe Paterno with his wife, Sue, and daughters Mary Kathryn, left, and Diana Lynne after he was named the football coach at Penn State in 1966. He remained in the position for nearly 46 years, becoming the winningest major college football coach in history.  (Paul Vathis / Associated Press)

Coach Joe Paterno poses with Penn State running back John Cappelletti and Bob Hope after Cappelletti won the 1973 Heisman Trophy.  (Marty Lederhandler / Associated Press)

Penn State players carry Coach Joe Paterno off the field after the team’s 1983 Sugar Bowl win over Georgia, which cinched its first national championship.  (Bill Feig / Associated Press)

Penn State players and Coach Joe Paterno celebrate the team’s upset victory over Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, which completed a perfect 12-0 record and earned the Nittany Lions their second national championship.  (Jim Gerbeich / Associated Press)

Coach Joe Paterno reacts during Penn State’s victory over Oregon in the 1995 Rose Bowl, completing an undefeated season.  (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

Coach Joe Paterno, seated second from right, listens as Penn State player Brandon Steele speaks during a gathering for prayer and support on the Penn State campus for teammate Adam Taliaferro, who had severely injured his spine during a game against Ohio State in 2000. Taliaferro recovered and eventually walked again. To Paterno’s right is Athletic Director Tim Curly, who was forced out along with Paterno in 2011 as a result of the abuse scandal involving former football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.  (Pat Little / Associated Press)

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno questions a referee during a 2001 game against Southern Mississippi at State College, Pa.  (Chris Gardner / Associated Press)

Coach Joe Paterno leads his Penn State team onto the field in 2004 for a game against Akron in State College, Pa.  (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

Penn State offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger playfully touches Coach Joe Paterno’s hair during a photo session in 2008. With them are kicker Kevin Kelly (23) and defensive back Tony Davis (11).  (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

Penn State players give Coach Joe Paterno a victory ride after his 400th win as head coach, a victory over Northwestern in 2010 at State College, Pa. Paterno ended his career with 409 wins, more than any other major college coach.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno during a news conference in September 2010.  (Pat Little / Associated Press)

Joe Paterno and his wife, Sue, greet supporters at their home in State College, Pa., on Nov. 9, 2011, the night the university’s Board of Trustees announced he was ousted as Penn State’s football coach.  (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)

A fan shows his support for Joe Paterno at the 2012 TicketCity Bowl between Penn State and Houston, after Paterno had been dismissed as head coach.  (Jeff McWhorter / Associated Press)