SAN ANTONIO -- Penn State's Joe Paterno believes his son has got the ability to be a head coach.

However, don't look for Jay, the Nittany Lions' quarterbacks coach, to replace his famous 81-year-old father when he retires.

"I don't think Penn State would be a good place for him right now, because it's just tough," the elder Paterno said yesterday, less than 12 hours after the Nittany Lions beat Texas A&M, 24-17, in the Alamo Bowl. "It would be as if I programmed the whole thing."

Paterno was asked if he thought it would be best if Jay, who has his own critics, moved on to another program to forge his own identity. He spent time at James Madison, Connecticut and Virginia before being hired at Penn State in 1995.

"Jay and I have not talked much about that," his dad said. "I've tried to treat Jay how I do every other assistant coach. I think that's up to him. It would be hard, obviously, for us to lose him -- my family, I mean."

During a 45-minute session with reporters at the Marriott Riverwalk, Paterno discussed a wide range of topics, including his contract, future, health, quarterbacks and off-the-field incidents:

• On his contract, which expires after next season: "You guys keep talking contract. Honest to goodness, I don't even know if I have a contract. Maybe I have one. I don't know what's in it."

• On his future: "I'd be dishonest if I told you every once in a while I don't say, 'Wouldn't it be nice to go sit on my backside someplace down in the Bahamas or something like that?' But how long can you sit on your backside in the Bahamas?"

• On whether he would ever agree to a succession plan: "Oh, I could do it if I thought it was necessary. ... [Athletic director Tim Curley] and I talk all the time, but that doesn't mean we've set anything down. ... I don't want to tie his hands. Tim knows where I'm coming from. I want to do what's best for Penn State, and in the process, be fair to my staff. That's all I can do. And I think the university and I are on the same page."

• On his health: "It's been a very, very difficult year for me physically. I'm still fighting some bumps and bruises and I need to get my legs right. When I come home from a practice session after being on my feet for three hours, I get tired. I'm looking forward to getting through recruiting season and try to do some things to get myself, my legs and other things back in shape ... I've only had eight days off since the end of last season."

• On the off-the-field incidents, which include two fights and a charge of rape against former starting tailback Austin Scott: "It took up an awful lot of time, and unfortunately, a lot of it was blown way out from what it should have been. The first incident, I thought our guys were wrong. And the second incident, our guys did not start it. But it's been a tough year. ... They have to understand it's a different world now -- they've got to be able to walk away from things. ... [Austin Scott] made his own bed, and that's all I'm going to say about that."

• On his changing role: "The assistant coaches are the guys that do all the work. I critique some things, and we argue about some things. I try to use the experiences I've had. I might say, 'Don't let that guy do this, make sure you got this, or let me look at that pass package you have called.' My job is really just to supervise."

• On quarterback Anthony Morelli's NFL prospects: "I think if he can get with the right team and situation where they're not expecting him to step in there right away, he'll be OK. ... He reminds me very much of [Vinny] Testaverde. He's the same kind of player. He's a big kid. He's got a great arm."

• On quarterbacks Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin, who will be vying to replace Morelli: "I don't have the slightest idea yet how Clark will do. He's not been in a pressure game where he's got to run the show. ... I think Devlin's going to go out there and compete. He's a heck of a prospect. I wouldn't count Devlin out."