On Sunday morning, the world lost perhaps the greatest football coach that ever lived.

Joe Paterno, the winner of two national championships and the most games (409) in the history of college football, died of lung cancer at the age of 85.

The man who has been the face of State College, Pa., since 1966 left this world amidst the worst scandal of his — or likely anyone else’s — life.

But that’s not the most important thing we should be thinking about at this moment in regards to Paterno.

This board didn’t comment on the scandal until now because it’s been discussed more than any other subject — Tim Tebow included — and one more commentary about how awful what happened to those boys is wasn’t necessary.

What we should be thinking about in the wake of Paterno’s death is not his role in what happened to those boys, but rather the profound impact the man had on Penn State University, college football and the world.

The Penn State football program — save for Jerry Sandusky, apparently — was the model of everything people should strive for in athletics and the molding of young men.

Paterno and his wife, Sue, donated millions to the university, so much so that the library is named after them.

We’re sure you’ve heard all the gushings in the last two days , and it likely has you feeling somewhat conflicted.

How do you mourn someone who may or may not have not done all he could to stop the abuse of young boys when he was such a great man?

We have an idea.

How about we separate the two.

Collectively, we — as both sports fans and people — should remember fondly the fiery man with thick glasses and high voice who preached teaching his players how to be men as much as players.

The Sandusky scandal should never be forgotten and, although it’s a huge one, it’s but one blemish on an eight-decade-long list of positive notes.

Joe Paterno was a great man and coach who didn’t do enough in a terrible situation.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t miss him for everything he did do.