Indianapolos, IN

Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden now owns the distinction of being winningest mentor in college football history after the NCAA stripped late coach Joe Paterno of 111 wins as part of punishment for Penn State in connection with the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal.

"I wasn't expecting it like this and didn't want it to happen like this," Bowden said when informed about the career wins record. "Wish I could have earned it - but that is the way it is."

Paterno coached Penn State to 409 wins but it was reduced to 298 after NCAA commissioner Mark Emmert eliminated the Nittany Lions' victories from 1998 through 2011.

Aside from shaving Paterno's career wins, the NCAA also fined the university $60 million, banned it from postseason play for four years and imposed limitation on the number of football scholarships it can award.

The NCAA levied the punishment after a report by former FBI director Louis Freeh said that Paterno and three other university officials failed in their duties to protect children from Sandusky, who was found guilty on 45 counts of child abuse.

With 377 wins to his credit, Bowden is now the all-time leader in college football history while Paterno, who died in January after he was fired in November, dropped to eighth on the all-time list.

Bowden said he was not glad of what transpired to Paterno's legacy and he still thinks of himself as second place behind his long-time friend.

"It is something I thought as far as my role was concerned was over - that was second place," Bowden said. "I guess on paper I have more wins than the rest of them. I don't want people thinking I am glad that happened so I can do this. All the things that have happened aren't worth it. Not worth it at all. I am thankful. I still know what I did and know what Joe did."

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