CHICAGO — Joe Paterno has dealt with bowel control problems throughout the summer, causing him to miss three alumni functions.

-Paterno spoke noticeably softer and looked weaker than the last time we saw him in April.

-He likes the addition of Nebraska but feels really strongly about adding another team from the East. When pressed he brought up the New York market (Rutgers, Syracuse)

-Doesn’t anticipate health issues to affect preseason preparation or ability to lead the team in the fall.

-On coaching future: I haven’t given much thought if I want to coach next year, for two years, for five years.

-Jim Delany said expansion is not actively pursuing further expansion at this time, though he’s sticking to the 12- 18-month timeline set last December.

-Delany said scheduling and division alignment will move forward even though expansion may not be over.

-Delany doesn’t think Notre Dame is a player for future expansion. Says it’s content playing in the Big East and as an independent.

-Delany wants a championship game for 2011. He doesn’t think agreeing to a long-term deal with one venue is logistically possible in the time frame he has to visit the number of venues that want the game, so a one-year deal with a venue is likely for 2011.

-Delany hopes a nine-game conference schedule is in place by 2013 at the earliest.

-The Big Ten will have a new logo design but not name

-Delany said divisions need to be as competitive as possible in response to whether Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan will be on same side.

-Divisions in football are not binding. Divisions could change for other sports, or there could be no divisions. He doesn’t think divisions would work well in basketball.