Penn State AD Dave Joyner "plans to retire Aug. 1, and the university will launch a national search for his successor," according to a front-page piece by Matt Carroll of the CENTRE DAILY TIMES. Joyner "has offered to work past his retirement date to help with a transition." Penn State President Eric Barron "will name a search committee to work" with North Carolina-based Collegiate Sports Associates to recruit the next AD. Penn State Senior VP/Finance & Business David Gray "will lead the committee." In his tenure as AD, Joyner "was tasked with finding the successor for legendary football coach Joe Paterno," who was fired in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. His hire, Bill O’Brien, "had success" before leaving for the Texans. Joyner then hired former Vanderbilt coach James Franklin. Joyner was named acting AD in November '11, "the most tumultuous time in the university’s history." Although he "has had success with his football coach hires, he also has been criticized in the Penn State community." Some were "critical of how Joyner got the job," as he was "given the position without a search" (CENTRE DAILY TIMES, 6/18). The AP's Dan Gelston noted Joyner "held the reins through 2 1/2 turbulent years." Joyner: "I didn't enjoy the circumstances that brought me here. You never forget to be reverent and respectful of the ones there hurt. But I have enjoyed the camaraderie, I have enjoyed the honor of working with the great people here" (AP, 6/17). Joyner said, "People might not always agree, and I respect that. ... Whatever I did, I did because that’s what I thought I had to do" (CENTRE DAILY TIMES, 6/18). ESPN.com's Josh Moyer wrote the move "should be looked upon as a positive" by Penn State fans. The school "needs someone to steer the athletic program -- especially football -- to a place Joyner couldn’t take it" (ESPN.com, 6/17).
