Paterno Says He Did Not Know How To Handle Sandusky Situation

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, in his first interview since being fired in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal, said that his “hope is that time will be his ally when it comes to judging what he built, versus what broke down,” according to Sally Jenkins of the WASHINGTON POST. Paterno said, “I didn’t know exactly how to handle it and I was afraid to do something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was. So I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn’t work out that way.” Paterno’s son Scott said that his father “has been ‘shunned’ by many in the university though he did hear from current Penn State President Rodney Erickson last week when he made a $100,000 donation to the school.” His name has been “removed from trophies,” and the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia has “discontinued its Joseph V. Paterno Award, which was given to coaches who made a positive impact.” A nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom “was withdrawn.” Paterno said, “You know, I’m not as concerned about me. What’s happened to me has been great.” Jenkins wrote it “remains to be seen, barring new revelations whether there will be a reappraisal of Paterno’s life and record at Penn State.” There are still details “to work out with the school, because he remains a tenured professor.” Penn State “sent him a retirement letter” on Jan. 2. Paterno said, “Right now I’m trying to figure out what I’m gonna do. Cause I don’t want to sit around on my backside all day” (WASHINGTON POST, 1/14).

LOOKING AHEAD: In N.Y., Mark Viera wrote part of Erickson’s vision for the future is "highlighting Penn State’s academic pedigree and research achievements." Erickson said, “Our challenge is to have more people understand the academic side of Penn State.” He added that effort “would not mean the diminution of athletics.” Erickson: “Clearly, collegiate football will continue to be a very big and growing market, and for some time to come.” Viera noted Erickson “is striving to make openness and communication the hallmarks of his administration.” Erickson said that donations “have largely remained consistent and applications to the main campus in State College, Pa., were up 2 to 3 percent” (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14).