ORLANDO, Fla. -- It is 7:45 a.m. on a Sunday, and Joe Paterno is wide awake. It is finally his time to relax, to sleep in, and now he cannot do it. There is too much rushing through his mind, he says.

So he grabs a cup of coffee and begins to speak his mind to a somewhat drooped group of reporters. He needs to talk to someone. Even these guys.

"I tried to go to sleep," Paterno admits, "but there were just too many things on my mind."

They ask him about a cloudy national championship picture, but he defers with diplomatic politeness. He refuses to make enemies. Besides, he would rather talk about his own team.

Four months ago, the man was too old. It was time for him to retire, to let go of the reins before the horse grew too tired.

Now, he talks like a man that has been drinking from the fountain of youth. Once again, he is on top of the world. Now, the 67-year-old legend talks of coaching past his self-imposed roadblock of 70.

"I'm in no hurry to get out of it," Paterno said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching, and as long as I'm healthy, I wouldn't mind coaching four or five more years."

The importance of this Florida Citrus Bowl victory shines through his speech. He needed this win for more than just himself. He needed this win for the seniors who helped him resuscitate a program. He needed it for the assistant coaches who had stood by his side.

"They could have said, 'Hey, it's over,' " the coach said of his seniors. "But they were willing to preach the gospel to some of these kids."

Instead, they buried their noses in football, attempting to right the ship after last year's 7-5 debacle. The hard-earned result: a 10-win season and a little respect after a 31-13 thrashing of highly regarded Tennessee.

"I get the feeling next year I'm going to be standing on the sidelines in Pasadena," senior defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson said.

Just like that, Joe Paterno is on top of the world again.

"I said (after the game) I was an authority on everything," Paterno said. "Today, I'm still pretty smart, but tomorrow . . ."