everyone said that like 8 years ago, that spanier wanted paterno gone and paterno didn't want to leave. this was when PSU sucked (early 2000s) and there was some discontent among the alumni base about the old man. i don't know if those rumors were true, but if they were, it's pretty obvious who came out on top. i think spanier figures that joe will call his own shots and unless he's completely senile, he's not going to be forced to retire.