Longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died this morning.  He was 85.

This really should have been an easy post to write.  There is quite a lot to say about Paterno’s extensive contributions to the Penn State community, his commitment to academic excellence, and his coaching accomplishments.

There aren’t many things that could have slapped an eternal “Yeah, but…” on such a legacy, but Jerry Sandusky’s alleged behavior qualifies.

Most of what I’ve read and heard today cautions against defining Paterno’s career by the mistake that ended it, on the basis of what I’ve said above.  People are saying it because they wish it were possible.  I do too.  It isn’t.  Ask Woody Hayes.

RIP.