Family, friends gather around Joe Paterno

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Former Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno is in serious condition in a State College, Pa., hospital, his son Scott said on Twitter Saturday.

Onward State, a student-run media organization covering Penn State, earlier cited unnamed family sources as saying Paterno had lost his battle with lung cancer, but the paper's managing editor later retracted its story.

The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, citing an unnamed family source, reported Paterno was near death and relatives had been summoned to the side of the coach, who was diagnosed with the disease in November.

Paterno's wife, Sue, issued a call for loved ones to say their final goodbyes to the 46-year Penn State mentor, The Citizens' Voice said.

A family member told the publication Paterno has been weakened by radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

"Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications," a statement issued Saturday by a family spokesman read. "His doctors have now characterized his status as serious. His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."

Paterno is the winningest coach in the history of college football, racking up 409 victories with the Nittany Lions while guiding them to national championships in 1982 and 1986.

He coached five undefeated teams during his tenure.

Paterno resigned Nov. 9 in the wake of child sexual abuse allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, an incident that leaves a stain on the greatest coaching career in college football history.