University Park, PA - It was a sad day for the Nittany Lion faithful as long time NCAA Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno finally stepped down as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. After Paterno suffered a small stroke after the win over Wisconsin, the long time coach made the tough decision.
"It has been my great pleasure to have coached football for such a terriffic univeristy. However, in light of recent health Issues, I will be stepping down as Head Coach of Penn State and appointing Offensive Coordinator Chris Smith-Ellis as the new Penn State head coach. Chris has been groomed by me for a couple years now, and i leave the program in good hands" an emotional Paterno read "I will always be a Nittany Lion"
Paterno 's new appointed head coach, Chris Smith-Ellis, was a topic of hot discussion this past spring as he was offered the head coaching position at several prominent universities including Michigan State, Iowa, Mississippi State and West Virginia. Smith-Ellis's Pound and Fly offense has seen the Penn State offense excell this season.
"I run what you might call Pound and Fly offense. We like to establish the run, and get the defense to cheat up, then throw it over the top of them" Smith-Ellis proclaimed
Only time will tell if this young head coach will be the next great college coach. But one thing is certain, there will be no other Joe Paterno.
Reporter - LLCOOLGREY