Joe Paterno: Dec. 21, 1926–Jan. 22, 2012

Early Days
Born in Brooklyn in 1926, Joe Paterno joined the Penn State football program in 1950 as an assistant coach. He rose to the top coaching spot in 1966, one year after this photo was taken. He has held that position ever since, making him the longest serving head coach of a Division I football program.

• Paterno to Step Down as Penn State Coach