Every year since 1954, the Sportsman of the Year Award has been given to “an athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirt of sportsmanship and achievement.” In the definition of the award, coaches are not mentioned, but on very rare occasions, an outstanding coach has won the award.

On this day, December 22nd, in 1986, Penn Sate Coach Joe Paterno was the second coach to be named Sportsmen of the year by Sports Illustrated.  In 1986, Paterno coached the Penn State Nittany Lions to a perfect 12-0 season, securing the team with a consensus national championship.  1986 marked the second year that Paterno helped the team win a national title; the only two the Penn State football has won in their history.

Joe Paterno continued to be the head coach of Penn State until 2011, ending his 45 tenure as tech winningest coach in college football.  Paterno coached his team to an amazing 409 wins.