Not even a minute into his weekly press conference, Joe Paterno made it clear he intends to continue coaching the Nittany Lions next season.

With speculation mounting about whether or not this would be Paterno’s final season, the 83 year old (who turns 84 Dec. 21) was quick to announce his desire to coach next year’s squad.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Paterno said when asked if he planned to coach next season. “We struggled a little bit this year with the youth and with the injuries a little bit, but I think we’re not where I’d like us to be yet. But I think with a good spring and a preseason practice we could be a pretty good football team next year and I’d like to be a part of it.”

Paterno said the cooperation he received from the university over the years has helped him stay upbeat about coaching at Penn State. He pointed to the university’s decision to open the dormitories early this Friday so students can choose to return to campus early from Thanksgiving break and go to Saturday’s game against No. 10 Michigan State. Kickoff is noon.

Paterno added “it’s been a good situation” and said he doesn’t see any reason to leave it right now.

However, Paterno was aware it’s not his decision as to whether or not he can continue coaching for however long he chooses.

“I don’t think it’s entirely my call,” Paterno said. “I’m not running the university, but I would hope that what I want to do would be taken in to consideration and then we’ll go from there.”

Adjusting the line

Paterno said he doubts center Doug Klopacz (left ankle) will be ready for Saturday.

Though he added Klopacz is a “tough kid” and wants to play, Paterno said the team needs to be realistic about its options.

If Klopacz can’t go, Paterno plans on keeping Stefen Wisniewski at center, but the rest of the line would see some sort of adjustment.

“Who would play guard? I don’t know,” Paterno said. “We talked about that this morning. [John] Urschel and [DeOn’tae] Pannell will kind of compete for the guard spot that Wisniewski would leave.”

Urschel played right guard after Wisniewski shifted over to center against Indiana, but Paterno said Pannell would be available for the game. Pannell, along with right tackle Chima Okoli, was one of the four players who were late arriving for the team buses against Indiana and did not play.

But Paterno is sure the four players heard his message loud and clear.

“They’re still a little bit on trial when you say back in my good graces,” Paterno said. “I think they got the word, the squad got the word. You know you have a responsibility to not only to yourself, but you have a responsibility to the other group.”

A lot to be thankful for

Though the Lions have a lot of extra downtime this week with classes not in session, Paterno said he does worry about the players having too much free time. He said he and his staff are trying to figure out the best way to run practices and want the players to use the week to also get caught up on schoolwork.

With study halls being set up for some of the younger players Paterno said “have fallen behind,” he also hopes the entire group is able to handle the downtime.

“Hopefully they’ve become mature enough so we can handle some of that,” Paterno said. “These kids have got to understand what a tough game they have ahead of them. They can’t be walking around all over the place. They got to get their sleep, they got to do some homework as far as recognizing what Michigan State can do.”

But don’t expect Paterno to be altering the practice schedule on Thanksgiving.

He said the players will go through a typical Thursday practice and have breakdown meetings much like they do every week. Then he anticipates having the team get together for Thanksgiving dinner.

Paterno is encouraging the players to invite their families up for dinner and said he expects to have his family eat dinner with the squad as well.

“We’re going to do everything you would do except hopefully we’re aware of the fact that it is Thanksgiving and we do have a lot of things to be thankful for,” Paterno said. “Hopefully we can have as many families together that can make the arrangements and have kind of a family night at the training table.”

Notes: Linebacker Mike Mauti, who missed the Indiana game because of a right shoulder injury he suffered against Ohio State, will practice wearing a green cross this week, meaning he will be limited. Paterno said he hopes to know more about Mauti’s playing status closer to Saturday. He’s listed as probable in the team notes this week.