As far as these voters see it, Joe Paterno is the third-best college coach of all-time.
This is according to the voters in The Sporting News' recent list of "sports' 50 greatest coaches of all-time." (www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2009-07-29/sporting-news-50-greatest-coaches-all-time) Overall, the 82-year-old Penn State coach was No. 13 in the poll -- the highest-ranked current college football coach.
The top pick was UCLA basketball legend John Wooden followed by the NFL's Vince Lombardi.
Bear Bryant was the top college football coach, coming in at No. 3 overall. Knute Rockne (No. 10) was only other one ahead of Paterno.
The No. 11 and 12 spots went to college basketball coach Pat Summit and the NFL's Paul Brown. George Halas, Chuck Noll and Bobby Knight immediately followed Paterno.
The Sporting News panel included seven World Series-winning managers, four Super Bowl champion coaches and the winningest coaches in the NBA, NHL and college basketball.
Big Ten voters of note include commissioner Jim Delany and football coaches Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Michigan (Rich Rodriguez) and Ohio State (Jim Tressel). Other voters include Dan Rooney, Brent Musberger, Bobby Bowden, Tommy Lasorda, Marv Levy, Tom Osborne, Don Shula, Steve Spurrier, Barry Switzer, Lenny Wilkens and Roy Williams.
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