Joe Paterno

Paterno was known for his gameday image—thick glasses rolled-up dress slacks (by his admission to save on cleaning bills) white socks and Brooklyn-tinged speech. Paterno died of complications from lung cancer on January 22 2012. On the night of November 8 hundreds of students gathered in front on Paterno's home in support of the coach.

The team won two national championships—in 1982 and 1986. In all he led the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl appearances with 24 wins (six of them later vacated) while turning down offers to coach NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots. In 1966 Paterno was named as Engle's successor.