Spurrier remembers Paterno as good person, coach

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — University of South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier says he’ll remember Joe Paterno as a great person and coach, despite the “sad” end to the Penn State legend’s career.

Spurrier made the remarks in a statement Sunday, hours after the announcement by Paterno’s family that the former Nittany Lions coach had died after a short battle with cancer.

Spurrier says he still has a photo of him together with Paterno at the Citrus Bowl after the 1997 season. The Gamecocks coach says that’s the only time in his career he’s asked a photographer to take his picture with the opposing coach before a game.

Paterno was fired from Penn State last year after a former assistant coach was accused of molesting 10 boys over a 15-year span.