The golf cart and cane are stowed away, and the octogenarian head football coach is finally back coaching the way he likes.
Joe Paterno hasn't had an offseason this comfortable since 2006 -- even with a 38-24 Rose Bowl loss to Southern California hanging over his head -- in large part because of good health, minimal off-field distractions and no contract talk.
"This has been more of a fun offseason in the spring for me because I'm more involved," Paterno said. "I don't have to ride around in a golf cart. I'm out there pushing and shoving kids and having a little fun with them. That's the way I like to coach."
Where Paterno coaches is important, too. He expects to coach from the sidelines Sept. 5 against Akron, the first time doing so since September 20, 2008 against Temple.
Regardless of Paterno's health, senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick said his coach's status is not going to change the way he handles his players.
"Joe's not going to change no matter his physical status," Odrick said. "He's on us just as hard on and off the field about class and practice and everything like that."
Compared to past years, on-field issues have grabbed headlines instead of off-field trouble.
Odrick was one of the few players to run into trouble off the field this offseason when he was charged with disorderly conduct March 11.
Linebacker Navorro Bowman's status is still uncertain after he was issued a one-year probation sentence April 22.
A relatively quiet spring season concluded Saturday with few distractions, but Paterno's squad has been decimated by injuries.
Running back Stephfon Green said he will return in one-and-a-half to two months.
He started doing agility work to get lateral movement in his ankle after undergoing surgery following the Rose Bowl.
Sophomore defensive end Eric Latimore said he pinched a nerve in his shoulder but was only held out of Saturday's Blue-White game for precautionary reasons.
In all, Paterno said at least a dozen guys were on the injury list, which just grew when junior wideout Brett Brackett left the scrimmage with an undisclosed injury and defensive end Pete Massaro was ruled out for the season Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Senior Jerome Hayes finished rehab on his knee last Friday, the second time he's gone through such a process in two years.
"Emotionally, I had a hard time understanding why," Hayes said. "I understand things happen. It's a violent game, but I'm ready to go."
