Joe Paterno, the winningest head coach in NCAA Division I college football history, died Sunday morning of complications from lung cancer. He was 85.
After the news of the Penn State coach’s passing broke at approximately 10 a.m. ET, the network altered its programming plans on ESPN2 and ESPNU to bring comprehensive coverage of the story. Paterno’s coaching contemporaries and ESPN analysts including Lou Holtz and Mike Ditka weighed in with their thoughts, as well as former player Matt Millen and veteran play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger.
Reporters George Smith and Tom Rinaldi are in the State College, Pa. area filing television reports. Across platforms, ESPN.com reporters such as Joe Schad and Ivan Maisel contributed their recollections of Paterno on air as well.
Read Maisel and Mark Schlabach‘s combined reflections on the Web site.
On ESPN.com, you’ll find more news and analysis — including blog coverage as well as fan reaction and a photo retrospective on Paterno’s life.
ESPN2 aired the Iowa at Penn State women’s basketball game as scheduled.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 23, ESPN Classic will air a marathon of historic games from Paterno’s career as well as a 30-minute Joe Paterno Tribute Show.
ESPN Classic Updated Schedule
Monday, Jan. 23: (All times Eastern)
7 a.m. 1989 Holiday Bowl: Penn State vs BYU
9 a.m. 2010 Capital One Bowl: Penn State vs LSU
11 a.m. 1995 Rose Bowl: Penn State vs Oregon (12-0 Season)
1 p.m. 2001 Ohio State vs Penn State: Paterno passes Bear Bryant, Win No. 324
3 p.m. 2006 Orange Bowl: Penn State vs Florida State
5 p.m. 1983 Sugar Bowl: Penn State vs Georgia (Paterno’s first National Championship)
7 p.m. Joe Paterno Tribute Show
7:30 p.m. 2010 Northwestern vs Penn State: Paterno win No. 400
9:30 p.m. Joe Paterno Tribute Show
10 p.m. 2011 Illinois vs Penn State: Paterno win No. 409
Tuesday, Jan. 24:
12 a.m. 2006 Orange Bowl: Penn State vs Florida State
2 a.m. 1983 Sugar Bowl: Penn State vs Georgia (Paterno’s first National Championship)
4 a.m. 2011 Illinois vs Penn State: Paterno win No. 409
Return to Front Row for updates regarding ESPN’s coverage.
