There is only one question to be asked in the aftermath of Rene Portland's resignation last week as coach of the Penn State women's basketball team.

Why did it take so long?

Whether Portland truly resigned of her own accord or if she were pushed out by athletic director Tim Curley is of no matter. That Penn State allowed her to linger on the job in the face of the accusations against her and the findings of a university investigation, which showed her conduct to be well below acceptable boundaries, is difficult to comprehend.

Just like every other such institution in America, Penn State likes to call itself "a great university.'' Sorry, it didn't fit that description as long as Portland was permitted to remain on staff. And now that she has been allowed to stay far too long, it will take some time for Penn State to again consider itself in that light.

Portland's resignation, after 27 years and 606 wins at Penn State, comes at a time when the program is struggling under her leadership. As recently as 2004, the Lady Lions were ranked fifth in the country. They had long been a nationally elite program. But the team has had two consecutive losing seasons.

It's possible, as often happens in coaching, that Portland realized she had lost the inner fire necessary to coach at such a high level. It's also possible she realized the times -- not the game -- had passed her by.

In an era where gays and lesbians are gaining far greater acceptance, Portland's stance on the matter was archaic.

Perhaps she hadn't noticed that when Sheryl Swoopes, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, a three-time WNBA MVP and one of the greatest women players of all time, came out in 2005 there was barely a murmur.

Or perhaps she did notice and couldn't take the fact the rest of the world didn't view life through her distorted prism.

In December 2005, Jennifer Harris, a former player who has since transferred to James Madison, filed a complaint, which later became a lawsuit, against Portland. It stated the coach discriminated against her and other players because of their perceived sexual orientations and said the coach had a policy of "no drinking, no drugs, no lesbians.''

Five months later, a university internal investigation concluded that Portland had discriminated against Harris. The report said Portland had created a "hostile, intimidating and offensive environment because of Harris' perceived sexual orientation.''

Despite Portland's long and successful career, such a report should have been followed immediately by her dismissal. That she was permitted to coach another season speaks directly to the lack of leadership in the highest levels of the Penn State administration.

Harris, not that it matters, maintains she is not a lesbian.

Instead of firing her, Penn State fined Portland $10,000, gave her a written reprimand and made her participate in diversity training. Portland had the gall to criticize the report, saying its findings "were flawed.''

If she hadn't been fired for her treatment of Harris, she should have been fired for two more reasons: Insubordination and stupidity.

What chutzpah! Imagine, being censured by your employer, on charges that were widely believed to be true, and then criticizing the report.

Again, where was the leadership at Penn State?

Last month, the $1.1 million lawsuit filed by Harris against Portland and Penn State was settled out of court. Although terms of the settlement were not made public, Harris was quoted as saying she is "proud to have brought the case'' and "thrilled to have been able to resolve it.''

It's not like the Harris incident was the first against Portland. She had a long and documented history on the subject. As far back as 1986, Portland was quoted making an anti-lesbian statement. In such a comparatively unenlightened era, such behavior might be understandable. But to maintain such an attitude over some 20 years speaks to the ignorance of a closed mind -- something that should not be tolerated among leaders at a major university.

Penn State has a grand opportunity to move forward in the right direction. Already Penn State great Suzie McConnell Serio, a two-time Olympic medalist as a player and a proven coaching success, is being mentioned as a successor.

Portland, no doubt, would approve. After all, McConnell Serio is married and the mother of four.