Paterno sets record for DI wins

In bright white letters against a blue background, the electronic sign boards around Beaver Stadium took note of another milestone for Joe Paterno long after the stands had cleared:

“Congratulations Coach Paterno
Winningest Coach In Division I College Football.”

It took all 60 minutes on a snowy, sloppy Saturday in Happy Valley, but JoePa broke Eddie Robinson’s record with victory No. 409 as No. 21 Penn State defeated Illinois 10-7. Highlights

In a common occurrence during his remarkable 46-year career, Paterno was feted again with a postgame ceremony. School president Graham Spanier and athletic director Tim Curley presented JoePa with a plaque that read, “Joe Paterno. Educator of Men. Winningest Coach. Division One Football.”

“It really is something I’ve very proud of, to be associated with Eddie Robinson,” Paterno said. “Something like this means a lot to me, an awful lot. But there’s a lot of other people I’ve got to thank.”

NCAA.com offers a look back with memorable images from JoePa’s trek to the top:

John Cappelletti won the Heisman Trophy in 1973. Paterno has said Cappelletti was “the best football player I ever coached.”

AP Images

Penn State defeated top-ranked Georgia 27-23 in the 1983 Sugar Bowl to win the national championship.

AP Images

PSU has been on 13 Sports Illustrated covers, including the ’82 national title and JoePa as ’86 Sportsman of the Year.

SI

Now 84, Paterno took over the Nittany Lions in 1966, and has adapted to modern times (including media scrums).

AP Images

After win No. 324, Penn State erected this statue on Nov. 2, 2001, to honor Paterno’s contributions to the university.

AP Images

Almost iconic as his glasses, JoePa’s black athletic shoes complete his old-school sideline look.

AP Images

Paterno is one of three active coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as coaches (Chris Ault, John Gagliardi).

AP Images

Note: Among all coaches, Paterno now only trails John Gagliardi, still active at Division III St. John’s (Minn.), with 482 victories (through Oct. 29, 2011).