Child abuse scandal claims jobs of university president, legendary coach
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Penn State President Graham Spanier, left, talks with Coach Joe Paterno before a football game against Iowa in October in Beaver Stadium.
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In five stunning days, a child sex abuse scandal that rocked the state's flagship public university led to the departure Wednesday of Penn State University President Graham Spanier and its legendary football coach Joe Paterno.
At a late night news conference that followed an emergency closed-door session on campus, John Surma, board of trustees vice chairman said Mr. Spanier was no longer president by mutual agreement and that Mr. Paterno had been fired.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Paterno issued a statement saying that he would retire, but not until the end of the football season. But the trustees decided Wednesday night that Mr. Paterno's career should end immediately.
"We thought that because of the difficulties that have engulfed the university, and they are great, that it was necessary for us to make a change and set a course for new leadership," Mr. Surma said.
PG VIDEOThere was an audible gasp in the room of reporters and students as Mr. Surma announced that Mr. Paterno would be leaving the university.
Both men had faced intensifying criticism over the university's failure to report to law enforcement authorities allegations that former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted a boy in a locker room shower of the Lasch football building on campus in 2002.
Rodney Erickson, longtime university provost, will serve as interim president, and Tom Bradley will become the acting head football coach, Mr. Surma said.
Mr. Erickson became executive vice president and provost on July 1, 1999, making him the institution's chief academic officer, according to Penn State's web site. A researcher, he is widely published on geography and economic matters, international trade and economic development policies, the school said. He joined the Penn State faculty in 1977.
Mr. Surma said it was hoped that students will view the change as being in the institution's best interest. However, within minutes of the announcement, some students were openly decrying the move and a crowd of thousands massed outside Old Main and later confronted police a few blocks away where a news van was overturned.
First Published November 10, 2011 12:04 am
