I just had to write to say what most Penn State football fans feel, but are afraid to say outloud: Joe Paterno, the greatest football coach of our lives, must be forced, if needed, to have an exit plan to leave coaching at Penn State to someone younger.

I see more and more of "the incidents" around school, from guys allegedly beating someone up to guys being in the wrong place.

I started going to Penn State games in 1966 with my family, and those types of things just did not happen then. The impression we in our family have is that Joe has lost control, or is losing control, of these people having these problems.

I am sure that others are very upset about our football team, but here in Columbus, Ohio, the Buckeyes would be screaming for the coach's head, with four losses. Why are we not asking for Joe to move on? Why is having four losses accepted now?

There is no question he brought us, as fans, great glory and honor, both as a man and a coach.

There is also no question, unfortunately, that he needs to retire, sit in the stadium he built and watch the new guy try to make a dent in his legacy.

By the way, when you look to hire someone new, take your time. Try to reclaim the ideas of JoePa, but let's look outside the program for new blood.

Lyn Kline

Class of 1981