WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE: At approximately 10:00 PM EST, the Board of Trustees at Penn State University announced that head football coach Joe Paterno had been terminated from that position, effective immediately.
Paterno had announced his resignation at the end of the season earlier on Wednesday (see below), but the Board decided unanimously that Paterno’s tenure needed to end as soon as possible. In addition, University president Graham Spanier was also removed from his post.
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley has been named interim head coach; current Provost Rodney A. Erickson has been promoted to interim University president.
Following the announcement, students and others took to the streets in response; at least one vehicle was overturned in the process.
Penn State faces Nebraska on Saturday in their last home game of the season.
—–
Wednesday morning- After 46 years as the head coach at Penn State University, Joe Paterno has announced that this season will be his last.
While there was speculation all season that Paterno would step down following the 2011 campaign, particularly after surpassing Eddie Robinson for the most win in Division One football against Illinois. However, the events of the past few days, including the ongoing scandal and investigation of former assistant Jerry Sandusky, have solidified that this will be his last year as the face of the Nittany Lion program.
His statement-
“I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.
I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.
This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.”
Paterno retires from a career that saw him on the PSU coaching staff since 1950. He led Penn State to five undefeated seasons, two national championships, and numerous bowl wins. His teams have achieved three Big Ten titles, the latter two shared with Ohio State.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
