I actually think this is great. Its because Paterno is at his age and position that comes from all that he has done that he can make this stand which is one i guarantee you hundreds of other college coaches would love to be able to make. A student athlete goes through hopefully a rigourous process to figure out where they want to be spending the next 1-5 years of their life (depending on ability level- i.e. can they go pro, and their educational persuits). This kid wants to quit a place he made a commitment too because he faced a little adversity this season and got benched cause he was doing as well as is expected. What kind of a lesson do kids get taught if when they screwup and get benched they can go cry and quit and try somewhere else where they won't have to earn anything. It's a joke that student athletes can get out of their contracts so easily, and thats what they are, contracts.
What kind of a lesson is "you didn't get your way, cry about it and run, just quit and try something else or somewhere else." My kid falls off their bike once I don't pick up off the ground and go welp we better buy you a skateboard instead. This is great. I actually think its Paternos way of making a point to the whole collegiate atmosphere in what will probably be his last year as head coach. He's taking a stand on something he obviously thinks is wrong with the college atmosphere, or at least with this one kid.
He wouldn't have started him the first 5-6 games or whatever as a freshman if he didn't believe in him, maybe he thinks he's doing the kid a favor by pushing him to prove himself instead of quitting and starting over.
