Instead of Penn State hiring that hip, new ball coach, the Nittany Lions went another route; they hired an old ball coach with a new hip. The recent speculation about PSU parting ways with Joe Paterno dissipated the other day, when the legendary coach inked a new 3-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm through 2011.

For Paterno, it has been a long and illustrious career, dating back to 1950, when he first came on board as an assistant coach for Penn State. A lot, and I mean a lot, has happened in that time period. As head coach of Penn State, he has witnessed astonishing technological advancements like the internet, cell phones, Snapple, CampusCompare, cloning and chicken nuggets. While some (Snapple and nuggets) are way more useful than others, it gives you an idea of just how much JoePa has seen and done.

Right now, Paterno holds the record for most victories by a Division I FBS coach (323), most bowl game victories (23) and more undefeated seasons than anyone else in college football history (5). And, after hip replacement surgery just a few weeks ago, he received an early birthday present - a new deal. On Sunday, JoePa will turn 82-years-old - meaning that his latest contract won’t expire until he reaches the ripe age of 85. While most men his age prefer winters in Florida and munching Viagra by the handful, Paterno would rather patrol the sidelines.

In his 59 seasons on the Penn State football coaching staff, he has been through a lot. Some good, some bad and some absolutely hilarious. Well, in honor of all that is JoePa, here are the five greatest moments from his remarkable career…

5.  “The JoePa Song” - You’d be hard-pressed to find another college football coach who has his own song. Although this video does poke fun at Paterno, the coach has a great sense of humor and was able to simply laugh it off. Wherever you might be around University Park - chances are that you’ll be able to hear someone humming the tune or singing the words. At home games, it’s incredible to hear 107,282 people screaming the coach’s name out of awe, admiration and respect. When cheers of “Joe-Pa-Ter-No” reverberate around Beaver Stadium, you know who the fans are all about, whether or not the coach wears a diaper.

4.   “Road Rage” - You know how old people think that they can do everything themselves, even when they probably can’t? Whether it’s being stuck halfway up the stairs because of exhaustion or driving 12 MPH on the highway, our elderly friends frequently cause more frustration than gridlock in Los Angeles. JoePa, on the other hand, can do whatever he wants whenever he wants - even if it means stirring up a ruckus with the only people that drive worse than seniors: women! Although it almost came to fisticuffs, Paterno settled with a classier gesture — making fun of the lady. Check out this story from the Penn State Campus, where her season tickets must have been taken away faster than Britney’s kids!

3. “Press Conferences” - For as long as anyone can remember, Joe Paterno’s press conferences often become a platform for mysterious grunts, moans and murmurs. Since we can’t pick just one such instance, this clip is a compilation of the greatest of Joe’s grumbling. From the sound of things, it seems as though Paterno has been hanging out with Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor a tad too often. If anyone can translate - you’ll get 50 gold stars!!

2. “Broken Leg on Sideline” - This only proves the tough, resilient and durable attitude that JoePa has come to embody throughout his career at PSU. On Saturday, November 4th 2006, Paterno was involved in a sideline collision when University of Wisconsin wide receiver Andrew Quarless rolled over onto Paterno’s knee after being pushed out of bounds. Upon contact, he fractured the leg and for much of the third quarter, he was able to endure the pain and discomfort. Finally though, Paterno relented and was flown back to University Park to be evaluated by doctors. What a badass!

1. “Bathroom Run” - While the Nittany Lions were struggling with No. 1, Joe Paterno was struggling with No. 2. During the 2006 match-up between Penn State and top ranked Ohio State, Paterno was spotted sprinting to the locker room faster than Britney’s marriage ended (that’s 2!!). I remember watching this live thinking “What the hell is going on?” and wondering if the immortal JoePa was alright. Turns out, he was fine - the guy just had to use the little boy’s room. While people still speculate that he made it in time, but the stains on his pants prove otherwise.

Top 10 College Football Traditions - Part 2

Now that you’ve had a taste of the rich and significant history of College Football, these next five traditions are sure to get you going. After sifting through stacks and stacks of college information and analyzing hundreds of millions of college reviews, here is what our panel has decreed as the best traditions in College football:

5. Painting the Helmets Gold - Notre Dame is perhaps the most storied and well-known team in College Football. Because of that, you better believe that the Fighting Irish have their fair share of traditions and rituals. And although most people think that this story is merely mythical - the helmets get a real coat of 24 karat gold before every week’s big game.

4. Howard’s Rock and the Hill - It’s a sight to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. For roughly 40 years, the Clemson Tigers have made their raucous entrance into Memorial Stadium after touching Howard’s Rock and storming down the hill. Symbolizing the players’ intentions to play with everything they’ve got, this awesome arrival never fails to get 83,000 screaming fans to their feet.

3. Dotting the “I” - Ohio State is a perennial powerhouse and competes for a spot in the National Championship Game each and every season. The half-time festivities at Ohio Stadium culminate with the sousaphone player, rambunctiously and fanatically dotting the “I” after the marching band spells out “Ohio” on the field. The display sends 102,000 fans into thunderous and gaudy applause and cheering that lasts the entire second half.

2. Chief Osceola and the Flaming Spear — At Florida State University, they have one of the best pregame traditions in the entire country. Representing the Seminole Tribe, Chief Osceola mounts his faithful steed, Renegade, and plants a flaming spear into the ground at the 50-yard-line. With the players watching from the sideline, Chief Osceola spikes the fiery weapon on the logo at mid-field and then stares the opposing captains down as they make their way to the center of the field for the coin toss.

1. UGA the Bulldog - So it’s not the special affects or fierce animals that get the top spot here today. Instead, it’s the loveable little pooch from the University of Georgia named Uga. The bulldog is the seventh in a long line of real dogs to don the Georgia jersey and represent the school on the sideline of every game. Fans and players alike share a special bond with Uga as he even travels to certain away games in order to cheer on his fellow Bulldogs. After 50 years, the university still gets its dogs from the same lineage and family. Don’t let his cute exterior fool you though - he has a tendency to go after members of the opposing team.

Well, there you have it folks - the Top 10 College Football Traditions. From buffaloes to bulldogs, the search for college info and superiority continues. I hope this list helps you find colleges with deep and intense traditions…and a good party scene also!

Top 10 College Football Traditions - Part 1

With the College football season getting more and more intense every week, we figured that we’d pump you up a little bit more with the top 10 College Football traditions in the nation. Our enormous panel looked at tons of college info and searched for colleges with the richest and deepest history - here is what we’ve come up with:

10. Running through the T - At the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, there is very little that excites students more than the pregame festivities. As kickoff approaches, the Volunteers gather in the tunnel and wait for the marching band to form the famous “T”. Then, all of a sudden, the team floods out of the locker room, through the “T” and onto their sideline - an intimidating site for any visiting squad.

9. The Tiger Walk - Keeping things in the SEC, Auburn University boasts the ninth best tradition in College Football. Roughly two hours prior to kickoff, the Auburn players walk between thousands of screaming fans trying to shake a hand or merely catch a glimpse of their favorite players. As the team makes their way to the stadium, players get emotional and excited as the big match-up approaches. While other teams may try and replicate this tradition, it started here and will die here.

8. The Ramblin’ Wreck — A restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe leads the team onto the field and has done so at every home game since September 30th, 1961. The vintage car is decked out in GT colors and whenever the engine is fired up, so is the crowd.

7. Midnight Yell - At Texas A&M, the anticipation is too much. Rather than waiting until right before kickoff to get rowdy, Aggie fans, also known as “The Twelfth Man”, gather at Midnight the day before the game to practice their cheering. Thousands of fans pack into the Kyle Field stands and, led by the “Yell Leaders”, they can be heard screaming the War Hymn and mocking their opponent. This tradition doesn’t end at home games either. When on the road, the “Yell Leaders” choose a location to gather and the yelling occurs there.

6. Running of Ralphie - At the University of Colorado at Boulder, they have a pretty intimidating tradition. Imagine being a player on the visitors sideline and seeing a 1,300 pound buffalo running straight at you. It’s not the most pleasant or comforting feeling in the world, I’m sure. It’s a real spectacle to watch - unless the animal runs you over…just ask that guy at the beginning of the clip!

Stay tuned for more! That’s just Part 1 of our 2 part series examining the best traditions in College Football. If athletics are critical in your college search, then this post will help you find colleges that meet your criteria.