Jay Paterno is an author, coach, and commentator with deep roots in college football. As the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, Jay spent over two decades coaching, including 17 years at Penn State. His latest book, “BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era,” offers a gripping exploration of the challenges facing today’s college football coaches, from NIL deals to mental health. A sought-after speaker, Paterno regularly shares insights on leadership, resilience, and the changing landscape of our society. His writing and commentary have made him a respected voice in sports and leadership circles. He’s regularly invited as a keynote speaker. AmericanRhetoric.com lists one of his speeches as one of the top American addresses of the 21st century. Learn more at jayvpaterno.com.
Company: Blue Line 409, LLC
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Jay Paterno: Jay Paterno is an accomplished author, coach, and commentator, with deep roots in the world of college football. As the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, Jay grew up immersed in the culture of the sport and went on to build an impressive career of his own. He served as a coach for over two decades, including 17 years at Penn State, where he helped develop championship-caliber teams and mentored countless athletes both on and off the field.
A passionate advocate for the game, Paterno’s career has expanded beyond coaching. He is the author of several books, including “Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father,” which offers personal insights into his family’s legacy and the values his father instilled in the sport. His latest work, “BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era,” delves into the challenges and pressures of modern-day college football, a fast-changing landscape driven by big money, transfers, and NIL deals.
In addition to his writing, Paterno is a sought-after speaker and media commentator. His eulogy for his father is listed among American Rhetoric’s Top American Speeches of the 21st Century. His expertise on leadership, the evolution of college athletics, and the impact of social and cultural shifts in sports has made him a respected voice in the industry. He regularly appears on major media outlets, offering his analysis and unique perspective on the future of football.
Off the field, Paterno is also known for his work as a philanthropist and advocate for causes he is passionate about, including education, health, and social justice. Through his multifaceted career, Jay Paterno continues to leave a lasting impact on college football and beyond. Learn more at jayvpaterno.com.
Can you share a time when your business faced a significant challenge? How did you navigate through it?
Jay Paterno: In my work with Blue Line 409 LLC—which spans ventures in business, TV, radio, public speaking, consulting, and even brewing—we’ve navigated rapid shifts in the media and sports landscape. A prime example was launching and scaling NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) efforts starting in 2020. As one of the earliest consultants in this space, we needed to define new rules, build consensus across diverse stakeholders, and adjust again when collegiate policies evolved fast . Success came through steady experimentation, rapid learning, and an unwavering focus on alignment and values.
How has a failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?
Jay Paterno: After my coaching tenure at Penn State ended in 2012, it may have seemed like a setback. But that moment freed me to expand into writing, speaking, media, and advocacy. I went on to author Paterno Legacy, then Hot Seat, and ultimately BLITZED!, each building on lessons from the last . That pivot transformed uncertainty into opportunity.
How do you build a resilient team? What qualities do you look for in your team members?
Jay Paterno: Resilience starts with shared values: adaptability, empathy, and integrity. In ventures like, “Success With Honor” (Penn State’s NIL Collective) or TV/radio productions, I’ve looked for people curious enough to learn on the fly, patient enough to endure setbacks, and generous enough to lift the team—not just themselves
How do you maintain your personal resilience during tough times?
Jay Paterno: I lean on reflection and storytelling. Writing columns—about adversity, history, or personal values—helps me process stress and reframe challenges. Whether guiding public conversation or walking fans through the pressures of modern college football in, “BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era,” I find resilience in clarity and narrative.
What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis?
Jay Paterno: I center myself in purpose. It’s a matter of keeping the focus on the big picture: Not getting to high when things are good and not too low when things are bad. As a player and coach, learning the concept the crossing the blue line before practice and the game which helps one focus on the here and now. In life, the blue line is a reminder that in the moment you can only control and react to the events directly in front of you and that helps you focus on solutions.
How do you communicate with your team during a crisis?
Jay Paterno: Openly, honestly, and frequently. In my columns, I’ve urged that crises be met with defiant optimism—not avoidance. In practice, that means candid conversations, acknowledging fears, and sharing vision. It’s about building trust through transparency.
What advice would you give to other CEOs on building resilience in their organizations?
Jay Paterno: Cultivate values before outcomes. Resilience isn’t a reaction—it’s a culture grounded in shared values and adaptive learning. Lead with empathy, stay curious, and view crisis as both test and teacher. Invest in narrative: help your team—and yourself—understand why what you do matters.
How do you prepare your business for potential future crises?
Jay Paterno: By staying agile and grounded. In Blue Line 409, we’ve continually diversified—venturing into brewing, media, consulting, and philanthropy—so shocks in one area don’t topple us all. We also stay embedded in conversations—through columns, media, public speaking—to stay ahead of shifts.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership in times of crisis?
Jay Paterno: Leadership in crisis isn’t about exerting control—it’s about steadying the soul. It’s building—not bullying; listening—not insisting; and most of all, leading with humanity. True leaders don’t just weather storms; they lift their people, keep the mission alive, and remind us what endures.
