Joe Paterno Dies of Lung Cancer

The winningest coach in major college football has died.

According to the Associated Press, former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died of a spreading lung cancer on Sunday morning.

Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College issued a statement saying that Paterno died of metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung.  Metastatic indicates an illness that spreads from one part of the body to an unrelated area.

The hospital said Paterno was surrounded by family members, who have requested privacy.

Paterno was diagnosed with cancer in November, days after getting ousted as head coach in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

The 85-year-old Paterno had been in the hospital since January 13th for observation for what his family had called minor complications from cancer treatments.