It never made sense that Penn State University, a state-related school, should keep secret the salary of football coaching legend Joe Paterno. It makes even less sense now that the university has been forced to reveal the figure by the state Supreme Court.

As it turns out, the venerable coach will make $512,664 this year, not including endorsements and other income. For someone who has 371 wins and two national championships and is about to go to his 34th bowl appearance in a 58-year career -- and who will be inducted tonight into the College Football Hall of Fame -- half a million dollars seems almost a bargain.

By comparison, the University of Pittsburgh reported earlier this year that football coach Dave Wannstedt's annual salary was $713,138 and basketball coach Jamie Dixon made $676,712. So what principle did Penn State defend even as the principle of public accountability was trashed? Why did a suit by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg have to be resisted for five years?

The Supreme Court's 4-2 ruling made clear that the salaries of those like Mr. Paterno covered by the State Employees' Retirement System are a matter of public record. Justice James J. Fitzgerald III wrote that the requests for information on the coach and three other Penn Sate administrators "go to the heart" of the Right to Know Act.

Mr. Paterno, who will turn 81 on Dec. 21, has one year left on his contract, but he said last week he wants to stay around "maybe three, four, five more years." His team had an 8-4 record this year -- respectable but not stellar and dimmed further by a series of off-field player incidents.

We would like to think Penn State will make decisions about his future wisely. But as the salary case illustrates, clear thinking is not the university's strength when it comes to Joe Paterno.