Bobby Bowden becomes FBS all-time wins leader after Joe Paterno's wins vacated
(CBS/AP) Once-sainted coach Joe Paterno lost the respect of many for his alleged role in concealing the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
Now he's lost his place in the record books too.
On Monday the NCAA vacated all Penn State victories from 1998-2011, which means Paterno will lose 111 wins. That means Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will now hold the top spot in the NCAA record book with 377 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) wins.
"I didn't want it to happen like this," Bowden said. "Wish I could have earned it, but that's the way it is."Paterno, who was fired days after Sandusky was charged, will be credited with 298 wins. Vacated wins are not the same as forfeits — they don't count as losses or wins for either school.
Former Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson holds the record for Division I-AA (FCS) wins with 408.
Earlier this month Bowden was critical of Paterno after the release of a scathing report that blasted Paterno and other Penn State officials.
"We were pretty close as coaches, and everyone has such great respect for Joe," Bowden said. "Still, you must look at it as a man who made a mistake -- not a little-itty mistake, but a very serious mistake."
In a statement, the Paterno family criticized the NCAA sanctions. "The sanctions announced by the NCAA today defame the legacy and contributions of a great coach and educator without any input from our family or those who knew him best," the family said.