The Nittany Lions' winning season did not silence the demands for Coach Joe Paterno to resign from his position.

His latest adversary -- the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) -- said that because Paterno made light of a sexual assault allegation against Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson, he should make a public apology and resign.

During a FedEx Orange Bowl press conference, his comments included, "I think it is so tough, there are so many people gravitating to these kids. He may not have even known what he was getting into. Somebody may have knocked on the door, a cute little girl knocks on the door. What do you do?"

These comments, although made in poor taste, should not be grounds for Paterno's dismissal.

It seems as though Paterno tried to diffuse a grave situation with a joke that was in poor taste.

Paterno has a history of making what some would consider to be outlandish or questionable remarks, and he usually realizes his mistakes. Two years ago when Tony Johnson was arrested for driving under the influence, Paterno said that, "obviously, it will all get blown out of proportion because he is a football player, but he didn't do anything to anybody."

Three days later, Paterno apologized for his comments and suspended Johnson from practice and the week's game.

Just as Paterno most likely did not mean to belittle a DUI, it's likely that he did not intend to dismiss sexual assault allegations as trivial.

Regardless, Paterno's words were in poor taste. NOW is correct in maintaining that sexual assault and domestic violence are not laughing matters.

Paterno should apologize to NOW, and women in general, for making light of this matter -- even if most do realize he was only joking. However, NOW should also realize that its request for Paterno's resignation is taking the situation too far.

There is no conceivable way the organization will win a fight with a football coach of such a stature, even if he is clearly in the wrong. Fans will follow Paterno and support him regardless of what he says and does just because of who he is and what he has done.

NOW's actions would be better suited to address allegations that women's basketball coach Rene Portland discriminated against players on her team.