Penn State coach Joe Paterno tried to pen the end of his script. But the Board of Trustees erased that finish, and put its own final statement on this sordid story: Paterno is fired, effective immediately. And president Graham Spanier is gone with him.
In a surreal scene late Wednesday night, board vice chairman John P. Surma told a room full of reporters that the vote was unanimous to dismiss Paterno. The coach, the legend, the most iconic figure on the college football landscape, was told via telephone that his 46-year run is up.
And like that, Paterno's career crumbles in a heap of shame of humiliation. The sport's all-time winningest coach ends his time with an inexplicable failure to go above and beyond -- much as he did on the field all these years -- what was expected of him in a sex abuse scandal that has ripped the heart out of the institution.
In a statement, Paterno, 84, said: "Right now I'm not the football coach, and that's something I have to get used to."
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as the interim head coach. Provost and executive vice president Rodney Erickson has been named interim president in place of Spanier, who served for 16 years.
"We thought that because of the difficulties that engulfed the university, and they are great, it was necessary for us to make a change in leadership," Surma said. He added: "The university is much larger than its athletic teams."
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As the news was announced, hundreds of stunned students filled Beaver Avenue and found their way in front of Paterno's home, all trying to find a common place to share their grief and chanting, "We want Joe." Paterno's wife, Sue, greeted students from their front door, then with a bouquet of flowers in her hand, closed the door good night.
Authorities have not implicated Paterno nor Spanier. But the role they played in allowing an alleged sexual predator to remain free and uninhibited has been circled in ink. Surma said that while questions remain and the investigation into former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and others continues, the board felt it was "decisive and thorough" in making this move.
"I was stunned and outraged to learn that any predatory act might have occurred in a University facility or by someone associated with the University," Spanier said in a released statement.
"I am heartbroken to think that any child may have been hurt and have deep convictions about the need to protect children and youth. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who may have been victimized. I would never hesitate to report a crime if I had any suspicion that one had been committed."
Paterno announced Wednesday morning that he would retire at the end of the season. That, apparently, was not his call to make.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Education Department, which receives campus crime statistics from colleges and universities that receive federal financial aid, announced that it will investigate the school?s handling of the case involving Sandusky. Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of sex crimes for allegedly assaulting eight young boys.
Colleges are required by law, under the Cleary Act, to disclose crimes committed on campus.
When told by then graduate assistant Mike McQueary in 2002 that he?d witnessed Sandusky assaulting a young boy in the locker room shower, Paterno told athletic director Tim Curley and vice president of business and finance Gary Schultz was later informed. Schultz and Curley said they told Spanier. The decision was made to not allow Sandusky back on campus with the boys from his charity, The Second Mile. No one informed the police.
Paterno, in his statement released Wednesday morning, spoke about his response to the news that came to him in 2002.
?This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life,? Paterno said. ?With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.?
But he didn?t. No one did. And it appears there was no room for leniency. Curley and Schultz, both of whom have stepped down, face felony perjury charges. Spanier is out. And now, so is Paterno. The lone person remaining in the rubble is McQueary, who is now the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Penn State.
Interim athletic director Mark Sherburne said this Wednesday afternoon:
?Every day we are entrusted with the lives of young people, and we do not ? nor have we ever ? taken that trust lightly. We are outraged that a valued trust has been broken. We can promise you that we are doing everything in our power to restore that broken trust. Everyone within athletics ? coaches, administrators, staff and student-athletes ? are committed to this pledge.?
Paterno?s players gave him a standing ovation after he addressed them Wednesday in tears.
?You?re in the presence of someone who really embodies and exemplifies dedication and perseverance,? senior offensive lineman Chima Okoli said. ?His last words were definitely hung on.?
?He doesn?t want to put Penn State or anyone else through a war,? senior safety Drew Astorino said.
When asked what Paterno, a 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, has meant to him, Okoli responded: ?I came here a boy, and I?m going to leave a man. And that?s all due to Joe Paterno.?
Paterno fought for his job. He did not go away quietly. But in the end, the board did not feel he did enough to fight for the alleged victims in this case.
Which image ? the one leading the charge in 409 victories for the Nittany Lions, or the one embroiled in a horrific chain of events ? will last is uncertain.
?Would I have done more? I?d like to think I would, but I don?t know,? said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel to radio show host, Tim McKernan. ?It?s easy to sit back and throw jabs?I usually don?t do that. I know Joe Paterno, he?s one of my heroes in coaching, and he is a good man.
?Why he didn?t do more, I don?t know. Some day he might explain it.?
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