ERIE -- Penn State President Graham Spanier today denied a news report saying Joe Paterno has a succession plan in place for the next Penn State football coach.

The Altoona Mirror reported on June 29 a recruit was told Paterno's successor would come from within the program. But speaking at a Penn State Board of Trustees meeting in Erie, Spanier said no decision has been made regarding Paterno's future.

"We haven't made any decisions nor have we named anyone," Spanier said, later adding, "We've made no commitments, and we've made no decisions."

Paterno, 81, is in the final year of a four-year extension he signed in 2004.

Spanier added the two parties have not talked about Paterno's contract and the situation will likely be put off until the end of the 2008 season. Paterno, second in career victories behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden, has said he'd coach on a year-to-year basis if necessary.