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Sunday, August 11, 2002

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Coach Joe Paterno is entering the third year of five-year contract extension. When he signed the extension two years ago, he did it to appease recruits who were asking about his retirement.

Paterno, 75, was asked yesterday about his future and whether he would name a successor as other coaches have.

"If I thought I was going to get out of it in the next 10 years, I might," he said, jokingly. "I think if it is appropriate. [Former Nebraska coach] Tommy Osborne did that. You never know. It depends on how things go."

Paterno said he does not believe the lack of another contract extension or not having named a successor has hurt recruiting.

"I talk to kids all the time," he said. "They say, 'How long are you going to coach?' I tell them frankly that I have three years left on my contract and if I feel good next year, I may sign another five-year contract. Whatever it is, the program is going to be the same. I tell them to look around and see the people who are here and decide if you like it. I also tell them when all of those [other coaches] tell you that I'm not going to coach, I just want you to know how many of those guys have said that over the years who are out of coaching.

"I don't think it hurts our recruiting. I really don't. If I thought it did, I would be a little more concerned about it."

Let's not roll

Paterno was asked to weigh in on the burgeoning controversy at Florida State, where Coach Bobby Bowden is having his players use "Let's Roll" as a motto for the season. "Let's roll" were the words Todd Beamer spoke on Flight 93 before he and other former athletes rushed the cockpit of the hijacked plane that went down in Somerset County.

"I would be afraid that it might be defaming it a little bit," he said. "'Let's roll' is something like 'We have just begun to fight.' Or 'Give me liberty or give me death.' Some of the great things that have happened in this country ... that was one of them. I wouldn't use it personally."

Same role for Ganter

Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Fran Ganter had a tough off-season. Ganter, a Bethel Park native, lost his wife in early June and his mother-in-law in late July.

Paterno said he has not changed Ganter's role on the coaching staff.

"Obviously, it's not going to be easy for him," he said. "He's had two tough, tough blows. He is such a solid guy and his kids are so solid. I have talked to him and told him to come to me if there is anything he wants different. He said he thinks he has it organized OK. I think we are OK that way."

Yisrael update

Earlier this spring, Paterno said junior safety Yaacov Yisreal would be suspended for the first five games of the season for hiding a drunken driving arrest until after the season.

Yesterday, Paterno hinted that he might cut that suspension back some.

"Youth is a disease, and it can be cured," said Paterno, who lauded Yisrael for his academic work this summer.

Double duty?

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley is a little concerned about his depth at cornerback and said the coaching staff has toyed with the idea of using starting receivers Bryant Johnson and Tony Johnson on defense.

Nothing has been finalized, but the moves would not jeopardize their roles on offense.

Bradley also said backup receivers could be possibilities to move over to defense.

After senior cornerback Bryan Scott, the other cornerbacks are walk-ons and redshirt freshmen. Senior walk-on Richard Gardner and redshirt freshman Gio Vendemia will battle for the right cornerback position opposite Scott.

This 'n' that

Offensive tackle Gus Felder graduated this summer and earned a fifth season of eligibility. He will battle with senior Matt Schmitt of Hampton at left tackle. ... Junior OT Chris McKelvy weighs 320 pounds, down from the 330 mark that drew the ire of Paterno this spring. ... Junior Matt Kranchick has been moved from receiver to tight end. ... Senior DT Jimmy Kennedy, who once weighed 360 pounds, entered camp at 310.