The great patriarchs of the Bible were impressive characters, but they didn't coach college football teams. So, Methuselah, move over -- Joe Paterno is going strong, and he has a new agreement with his school to prove it.

Penn State University announced Tuesday that it had reached terms that may allow Coach Paterno, who will turn 82 on Sunday, to extend his long reign through the 2011 season. His old four-year deal would have expired Jan. 1, the day Penn State plays the University of Southern California in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena.

That prestigious date is the best argument for why Coach Paterno should remain at the helm of the team he took over in 1966, despite the novelty of an octogenarian doing a job typically performed by much younger men. The Rose Bowl will cap a great season for the Nittany Lions, who would have played for another national championship but for one unfortunate loss. There is no arguing with success.

Yet success seemed to have passed Mr. Paterno by just a few years ago. As recently as 2003, the team posted a 3-9 record, the worst in the school's history. Winning games quieted the heretical calls for Mr. Paterno to retire and winning will keep them quiet. It doesn't matter if you are an oldie if you keep on proving you are a goodie.

That is key. JoePa's amazing career -- longest-serving coach at one school in major college football, two national championships, five undefeated seasons, all-time leader in bowl victories, an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame -- continues to be a great story because it is a winning story.

Division I football programs can't be based solely on sentiment, even where a legend is concerned. To that end, the brief announcement made by President Graham Spanier and Athletic Director Tim Curley contained language suggesting future accountability: "It was also agreed that the parties might re-evaluate their circumstances and alter the arrangement by either shortening or extending its length as necessary."

The only sour note in this happy announcement was that the university did not release the financial details of the accord (Mr. Paterno's salary has been an old source of coyness). Penn State has done right by Coach Paterno and his many fans and brought stability to the program. The state-related university also should do right by the principle of public accountability.