Posnanski's New Book, "Paterno," Examines Fallout From Scandal

Joe Posnanski's new book about the late Joe Paterno is being released today by Simon & Schuster. The 400-page biography, titled "Paterno," covers the Penn State football coach's life before the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal, "though its main focus shifts to the fallout from Sandusky in the latter half of the book." It also details Paterno's struggle with lung cancer from November '11 to his death in January '12. Posnanski said that in his final interviews, Paterno "came to accept what had happened with his reputation" (ABCNEWS.com, 8/21).

Posnanski appeared on NBC's "Today" and was interviewed by Matt Lauer. The author said as the Sandusky story was developing, Paterno "was in denial somewhat about what the story really was, how bad it really was." Posnanski: "He always said to the end that he didn't cover this up." When asked about how Paterno should be remembered, Posnanski said the issue is "very, very complicated." Lauer: "A legend, but an imperfect legend" ("Today," NBC, 8/21).