NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- You never know who you're going to run into ... It happened to be two of the all-time greats Monday at the American Football Coaches Association national convention.
Joe Paterno and John Gagliardi met for the first time. JoePa holds the I-A record with 383 victories. Gagliardi, of Division III St. John's, owns the all-time record with 461 victories. Both are still (very) active.
Until Monday, though, about the only thing they had in common was their age (both 82) and football.
Why had they never met?
"Two different worlds. Two different planets," Gagliardi said. "We've kind of exchanged notes. That's about it. I never thought I should interfere or foist myself on him. I've talked often about, 'Why don't I go to spring practice with him?' I know he'd treat my royally. Then I thought, 'Oh, he's got other things to do.' "
You've got 461 victories, he's got 383. Who has worked harder?
"I have," Gags said.
"(Former Minnesota coach) Glen Mason is a mutual friend. He used to like to come up and teach my football class at St. John's. His parish priest was a St. John's guy. During one of his talks he mentioned, one thing I'm embarrassed about is my salary. I think he made $2 million. So I said, 'Glen, I have to interrupt you. That's another thing we have in common. We're both embarrassed over our salaries.' "
Do 500 victories mean anything to you?
"I've never had a goal ... I know I can go for another one, or possibly two more, decades."
Paterno told stories for an hour during one session to a packed audience of about 3,000. Let's start off with a 59-year-old tale from Joe's first AFCA convention in 1950.
"It was in Dallas, at the Baker Hotel. We drove from State College, three of us. We get into Dallas about 10 at night. Here's this guy in the lobby, a whole bunch of guys gathered around him. Must have been 40 or 50 guys. Fat guy.
"His name was Woody Hayes. He's giving a clinic on how to run the off-tackle play."
How do you feel after hip replacement surgery?
"I feel great. My only problem is the leg gets tired. I have to get off of it after a while."
How many home visits will you go on during recruiting?
"It depends on what the doc says. They're scared to death because the operation was only six weeks ago. He's afraid of blood clots going up and down (in planes)."
You lead Bobby Bowden by one in the all-time race (383-382). A possible part of Florida State's upcoming judgment from the NCAA infractions committee is the forfeiture of games by Bowden. Is that fair?
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I think Bobby is a heck of a guy. Who cares? Fifty years from now, Joe who? Bobby who? We've both got our health, we love our job."
