Report: Paterno to retire at the end of the season

Joe Paterno

According to several published reports, embattled Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will step down at the end of this football season.

Paterno has been a lightning rod in the current scandal surrounding his former top assistant, Jerry Sandusky and there have been many, many calls for him to step down because of it.

Paterno is not accused of breaking any laws in his handling of what happened, but rather the heat has come from him not doing more.

This is not a surprise in the fact that many thought he would step down at the end of the season whether all this happened or not. The surprise is that he will continue to coach this season at all. There has been a huge outcry from columnists, alumni and others that he had to go now.

We will continue following this story and update it as the day goes on.

1300 UPDATE: Here's Paterno's statement in full and noon coverage...
((HT: KDKA-TV))


“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.”

1330 UPDATE: Penn State players were asked in their weekly conference call about Paterno's exit...

Safety Drew Astorino said the team was "visibly upset" when Paterno told them a statement was being issued about his retirement after the season.

"He just told us he put in a letter of resignation. He thinks that would be best for Penn Sate, best for his family and best for everybody else. He doesn't want to put Penn State through a war or a fight or a media war against anybody," Astorino said.

"It's criminal the way [Paterno] went out. He's meant so much to the university. This wasn't a fitting end for him," tackle Chima Okoli added. "He (Paterno) pretty much gave his life to the University. It's a big loss."