There is no greater fan of the Nittany Lions and Joe Paterno than me. And there is no one more pleased with the success the Nittany Lions have had this past season than me. But, after watching Paterno's behavior before the FedEx Orange Bowl and prior to the Lions taking the field, I have come to a conclusion: Joe Paterno is a crotchety old dinosaur when it comes to handling what comes with big time football.

His grousing about contracted activities, his rude behavior toward his hosts, his less-than-sensitive comment about a sexual assault charge, his yelling at reporters who dared to enter the tunnel where the Lions were waiting to go out on the field -- this suggests someone no longer in control of himself, ("Women's group wants Paterno to resign," Jan. 9).

Where is the wisecracking, smiling Joe Paterno of yesterday who seemed genuinely happy about playing in a bowl? Where is the JoePa who was conscious of presenting himself as a model of what is expected of Penn State athletes and coaches? Would Paterno allow his assistant coaches or players to behave as the bore he portrayed? It's time for Paterno to do the classy thing that Barry Alvarez did at Wisconsin: Announce now that this will be his last year and ride to glory with some class.