Paterno's wife, family downplay coaching milestone

UNIVERSITY PARK - Joe Paterno was greeted with a familiar question when he arrived home from work Tuesday.

"What do you think of 400?" his wife, Sue, sarcastically asked him.

Paterno's 400th win has been the talk of the town this week, as the 83-year-old Penn State coach stands at 399 career victories heading into tomorrow's game against visiting Northwestern.

At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Paterno was asked five questions about the potential milestone and his career, refusing to budge every time.

But for his wife, it has been just another week.

"I thought, 'Don't you guys have another question?' " Sue said. "We're playing Northwestern and they have a good quarterback."

Like her husband, Sue has tried to avoid talk of the mark, saying the couple never speaks about football and that her husband will be thinking about his next game the minute he notches win No. 400.

Instead, she has been busy cooking and planning for all of the guests she will host after tomorrow's game, just like any other home game.

Sue has been instrumental in fundraising for the on-campus Paterno Library and the Special Olympics. On Aug. 30, ground was broken for the Suzanne Pohland Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center, next to campus.

The Paternos have been married since 1962, when Joe was still an assistant to Rip Engle.

"Did I think he'd be head coach? No. Whatever happens happens," Sue said. "Did I ever think of how many games you're going to win? No. And then when everyone freaked out about 324 [surpassing Bear Bryant's record] I thought, 'Could you just be quiet? You're making me nervous. Let it take its course.'

"Even that [rivalry] with Bobby Bowden, we were never counting, and it wasn't important. That was never his goal, never my goal. I don't think it was our kids' goal. Our family has never talked about it."

Indeed, Sue and Joe are not the only family members downplaying the potential for history this weekend.

Brian Giegerich, the Paternos' oldest grandkid, has a soccer tournament. Sue made it clear to her daughter, Diana - Brian's mom - that she did not want them missing it for just another Saturday in Happy Valley.

"It's just not something we thought about - 'Give up your tournament and come here just in case,' " Sue said. "No. They have to live their lives. They have their priorities and I've always respected that, and I think they've respected ours."