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Jay Paterno to Urban Meyer: “It Would Be An Honor To Be A Part Of Your Staff”

Newly publicized court documents reveal that last year, Jay Paterno handwrote letters to multiple coaches seeking jobs.

Paterno had a decent coaching career prior to its abrupt end after the hiring of Bill O’Brien in Jan. 2012, and he tried to throw his metaphorical hat back into the ring late last year. After playing as a reserve quarterback under his father at Penn State, Jay Paterno had coaching stints at Virginia, UConn, and James Madison before settling back in at Penn State from 1995-2011.

The new documents include handwritten letters to the head coaches of West Virginia, Georgia, and most ambitiously, Ohio State. All three include appeals praising the schools’ programs and asking for a position on the coaching staff. The letter to Ohio State’s Urban Meyer cites the Paterno family’s lifelong admiration of Meyer.

“My father had tremendous respect for you and I share that respect as well,” he wrote. “It would be an honor to be a part of your staff.”

The letter was dated Dec. 23, 2014 — nine days before Ohio State upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and less than three weeks before the Buckeyes beat Oregon in the National Championship. If it was nothing else, it’d have been a great staff to be a part of.

Jay Paterno is also involved in, among others, a federal court case claiming that he’s been unable to find c0aching jobs as a direct result of the Sandusky scandal. Since his dismissal at Penn State, Paterno has sought jobs UConn and JMU again, while also applying at the University of Colorado and Boston College.

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About the Author

Doug Leeson

Doug is a sophomore and Onward State's Assistant Managing Editor. Dislikes: popcorn, Rutgers, and a low #TimberCount. Likes: "Frozen," Rec Hall, and you. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @DougLeeson.

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