If you’re a Penn State fan, you’re familiar with Cory Giger. Whether you’ve listened to his radio show, or just read his work in the Altoona Mirror, his name should be an instantly recognizable one in Nittany Lion circles. Prepare for that footprint to get even bigger, though–he and Neil Rudel, also of the Mirror, have collaborated along with some pretty prominent names and public figures to write, what may be–the authoritative book on the man that is Penn State football. Cory was nice enough to answer some of our questions about They Know Joe: Behind-the-Scenes Paterno Stories From Those Who Watched His Legend Grow, and we’ll share his answers with you in this quasi-Consumers Digest.

quebecpenspinning: What makes this book a must-buy for any Penn State fan?

Cory Giger: They’ll get to read detailed, behind-the-scenes stories about JoePa from fascinating people all around the country, as well as longtime Penn State personnel and program insiders. We have included chapters on numerous big names — Steelers owner Dan Rooney, Lou Holtz, Bobby Bowden, President George H.W. Bush, Kerry Collins, Michael Robinson, Todd Blackledge, Vince Dooley, Adam Taliaferro, John Clayton, Beano Cook, Jerry Sandusky, Chris Fowler, Dick MacPherson, Lloyd Carr, etc., etc. — as well as many people who may not be known around the country but certainly have been very close to Paterno — Fran Fisher, Budd Thalman, Jim Tarman, Mimi Barash Coppersmith. The memories and stories shared by these people are unique and intriguing, and they are all packaged together in one easy-to-read, affordable publication.

NWO: What spurred you and Neil Rudel to write this book?

CG: Our general manager at the Altoona Mirror, Ray Eckenrode, presented us with the idea late last year. I thought it was tremendous, and Neil agreed. I had written a book before — chronicling the Altoona Curve’s inaugural season in 1999 — and it was so much work that I didn’t think I ever wanted to go through that process again. But this Paterno book sounded intriguing from the get-go because we all knew that no book like this has ever been written before. What we most wanted to accomplish was finding the right mix of people — national celebrities, program insiders, close friends, former players, etc. — who could provide unique stories and also incorporate all of the major accomplishments in JoePa’s career. For instance, we cover the 1982 and ’86 national championship teams through the eyes of people like Todd Blackledge and Vince Dooley (’82) and John Shaffer and Lou Holtz (’86). We also cover the terrific 1994 season with Kerry Collins and the 2005 season with Michael Robinson.

NWO: How is this different from some of the other Paterno biographies that have been written?

CG: Most diehard PSU fans have heard many of the well-known stories about JoePa, but we set out to tell the story of his life and career in a unique way by getting others to share their favorite memories about him. We have dozens and dozens of behind-the-scenes stories that most fans have never heard or read before, all centered around other people’s viewpoints and how they involved Paterno. We covered his entire career from when he came to PSU in the 1950s up until now and talked to people who have known him well during various times in his life.

NWO: So just how close was Joe to leaving for the NFL?

CG: Very, very close. And we have several chapters that include information on people who knew him very well at those times and discuss what went into Paterno’s decisions.

NWO: During the process of researching and collecting these stories, were there any revelations you hadn’t heard before?
CG: There are many. We can proudly say we have the scoop on Paterno’s famous quote about not wanting to leave college football to the “Jackie Sherrills and Barry Switzers of the world.” Many people who have followed the program believe John Clayton, of ESPN fame, spread that off-the-record quote, and we got to the bottom of it in the book. We also detailed, perhaps better than anyone ever has, how close JoePa came to taking the Pittsburgh Steelers job in 1969 and what went into the discussions with his good friend, Dan Rooney. That story hasn’t really been told in detail over the years. Also, JoePa doesn’t like taking out the trash at his house. And when he goes to his beach house alone each summer, he uses one plate and washes it each time. Those stories are in the chapter on one of his daughters, Mary Kay Hort, and exemplify the kind of personal details we have in the book.

NWO: Are there any other anecdotes about Joe that really stand out?

CG: We have tremendous stories from Dick MacPherson, Johnny Majors, Matt Millen, Glen Mason and the all-time winningest coach in college football history, John Gagliardi, to name a few. I can’t give away the details, but I can promise that anyone who buys the book will find them to be very interesting.

Our thanks to Cory for sharing some details us about the book. If he’s piqued your interest, you can pick up a copy by clicking here.