STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Contract talks with Penn State coach Joe Paterno are on hold until the end of this season, when the 81-year-old's deal expires.

Penn State president Graham Spanier told The Associated Press in an e-mail Thursday that both the school and Paterno, who is entering his 43rd season as head coach, agree a new deal isn't necessary right now.

``We are in agreement that a contract would have little practicality given Coach Paterno's seniority. None of us see that as necessary,'' Spanier wrote. ``Our preference is to continue to review the status of the program on an annual basis, and we will next do so at the conclusion of the 2008 season.''

Administrators and Paterno have met twice recently to discuss the football program, Spanier said. The two sides typically meet each offseason, though this year's meetings are drawing more attention because of Paterno's contract.

Paterno has not sought a new deal, and the university has not offered one, Spanier said. ``I wish to reiterate my continuing support for Coach Paterno,'' he wrote at the beginning of his e-mail.

Two weeks ago, Paterno said he wasn't worried about his situation, and wasn't looking for a new contract. He said he would be comfortable going year to year.

``I don't even care if I get a contract. I'll be very frank with you,'' Paterno said during the spring practice news conference. ``I think the university will do what they think is right, whenever the time comes. Right now, I'm very comfortable.''

Paterno later added, ``If I've got to have a contract to keep my job here, I'm in the wrong place.''

Last month, athletic director Tim Curley said there was no timetable to make decisions about college football's second-winningest coach.

During a break in a university trustees meeting in January, Spanier had said he expected Paterno to coach in 2008, but that he hadn't had chance to talk to him. Spanier also then declined comment on potential succession plans for Paterno.