By Breaking Celebrity News Staff

There was more dark news for Joe Paterno on Friday as it was announced that the former Penn State head coach has been diagnosed with lung cancer, Breaking Celebrity News has learned.

The 84-year-old college football veteran was diagnosed last weekend and is undergoing treatment but "his doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery," according to statement made by his son, Scott Paterno, to the Associated Press.

"As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds with treatment," Scott said.

The lung cancer was found when Paterno went for a follow-up visit with his doctor for a bronchial infection.

As Breaking Celebrity News has previously reported, the coach was fired on November 9 during his 46th season with the Nittany Lions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal that has rocked the college.