For the first time in months, Joe Paterno publicly addressed his contract situation Saturday, saying he "doesn't even care" if he gets an extension.

A four-year contract he signed in 2004 runs out following this season, and Paterno denied any negotiations for a new deal have occurred.

"If I've got to have a contract to keep my job here, then I'm in the wrong place," Paterno said.

He also added he is "absolutely" comfortable going year-to-year without a set contract.

"If I wanted a contract, I'd go ask for a contract," Paterno said. "The contract I'm working with now, they brought it to me. I didn't go ask for the contract."

Paterno said university officials have approached him about previous contract extensions. Only once, he said, has he actively pursued a contract extension, and that was about 10 years ago.

Florida State and Purdue, among other schools, have recently announced succession plans naming their next head coach. Paterno left open the possibility, reiterating that he hopes someone on the current staff is named the next head coach.

"I think the future needs to be defined when it has to be defined," Paterno said. "It just doesn't have to be defined today."

None of the players made available following spring practice said they had thought about Paterno's contract or viewed it as much of a distraction.

"Personally, I'd rather things stay the same," defensive back Lydell Sargeant said. "I think he's got something that's going good. He's been doing it years upon years."

Linebacker Sean Lee said Paterno's future has "been an issue the past 15 years."

For more on Paterno, read Monday's Daily Collegian.