Do Penn State's victories while JoePa was in the hospital count toward his career win total?

Question

Normally this would not seem important, but it's still an open question whether Paterno or Bobby Bowden will end up with the most career victories. Those few games could make the difference. This is really a two-part question: WILL the games count, and SHOULD they count?

Answer 1

My understanding is that the one game doesn't count. He spent the one game in hospital, but returned and was in the press box for the other games he was cleared to be on the sideline. So the game that he wasn't present for doesn't count.

Something similiar has been brought up in NCAA Basketball when Duke University Coach Mike Krzyzewski collapsed from exhaustion and missed a couple games. In the years to come he'll be a serious contender for all-time games won and it was mentioned that the games he missed does not count towards his win total. I would assume this is the same in NCAA Football.

The wins they aren't present for doesn't count because an interim coach (usually an assistant)takes the head coach's place temporarily.

And in my opinion, no they shouldn't count. The wins should be counted towards whomever the interim head coach is at the time.

Answer 2

I believe they only played the one game while he was in the hospital actually. I think he was in the Press Box for the next game. As to if they count the win against Temple or not I'm not sure. They probably shouldn't, although he did game plan with the man who DID coach so an argument could be made either way. I think it may though, after all that basketball coach who had his son take over when he went to rehab got the wins, and the retired before coaching another game if I'm not mistaken.

Answer 3

he was not on the sidelines coaching after he got hurt (so they shouldn't count) but the game he was coaching when he got hurt should count.