NEW CASTLE —
The news from State College seemingly couldn’t get any worse, but then came word of Joe Paterno’s death.
The legendary coach of the Nittany Lions died over the weekend, after being hospitalized for complications from recently diagnosed lung cancer. But more than a few observers have suggested the real cause of death was a broken heart.
That may not be an official medical finding, but one wonders about the toll the Jerry Sandusky scandal took on Paterno and his overall health. It’s difficult to envision what impact was felt by a man who lived and breathed Penn State football for more than four decades, only to have the whole thing ripped away from him.
As we have said previously, no one ever would have imagined that Paterno’s tenure at Penn State would end the way it did — fired by the board of trustees after members decided he didn’t do enough when he first heard allegations Sandusky had been seen sexually abusing a child on campus.
Paterno expressed regrets in that regard, and there is some dispute about how much he was told in relation to Sandusky. But most observers agree that Paterno should have done more.
That particular failing, however, should not wipe out Paterno’s legacy at Penn State. And we’re not just referring to his record as the winningest coach in college history.
Paterno was an advocate for ensuring his players received real educations and obtained degrees. And while he was well paid as a coach, his generosity was widely known. He and his family gave back to the university, continuing that tradition even after he was dismissed.
Penn State and its alumni are now grappling with a range of emotions, compounded by Paterno’s death. We presume more pressure will be placed on the university’s board of trustees, with Paterno’s supporters demanding that members step down. That may be an appropriate part of clearing the air at Penn State, but it won’t alter the past or prevent a future with even more pain as the institution deals with the aftermath of the Sandusky scandal.
After all, Sandusky’s prosecution will proceed, and the young people identified as his victims will pursue civil cases against the university and individuals accused of failing to take aggressive actions against Sandusky. The pain at Penn State will persist.
Meanwhile things won’t be the same with its storied football program. A new coach takes over, but he will operate in the shadow of a giant. Joe Paterno may be gone, but he won’t be forgotten.
And we think his achievements will outshine his shortcomings.
Penn State Scandal
Penn State’s tragedy compounded by the death of Joe Paterno
- Penn State Scandal
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Paterno family speaks at child abuse event
On the night before he died, Joe Paterno scrawled a message that his wife Sue did not find until after the legendary coach had passed away. In that message, Joe Paterno noted the silver lining in the child sex abuse coverup that led to his firing might be that the scandal could inspire a greater awareness about child abuse.
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Judge: No new trial for Sandusky
Jerry Sandusky lost a bid for a new trial Wednesday when a judge rejected his argument that his lawyers were not given enough time to prepare for the three-week proceeding that ended with a 45-count guilty verdict.
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Ex-PSU president Spanier charged in sex abuse scandal
Former Penn State President Graham Spanier on Thursday became the latest high-ranking school official to face charges in the child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Additional charges were also filed against two other school officials already charged in the case.
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Our Opinion: Sandusky jail term protects children and sends a message
There probably isn’t much new to say about the Jerry Sandusky saga at this point. However, yesterday’s sentencing of Sandusky to 30 to 60 years in prison — essentially a life term — for his conviction on child sex abuse charges, warrants additional comment.
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Jerry Sandusky will die in prison, judge says
Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to at least 30 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — in the child-sex-abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall. A defiant Sandusky gave a rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.
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Former PSU assistant Jerry Sandusky sentenced to at least 30 years in prison
Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to at least 30 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — in the child sexual abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall. A defiant Sandusky gave a rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.
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Penn State officials lose pretrial motion on perjury
Two weeks before former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is expected to be sentenced on child molestation charges, a county judge determined that perjury charges should remain in place against two university administrators.
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Lawyer: Sandusky regrets not taking the stand
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky regrets not taking the stand at his child sex abuse trial and likely will be sentenced next month, his defense lawyer said Wednesday.
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Paternos adjust to new Penn State era
Penn State’s season opener Saturday will be the first since 1949 not featuring someone with the name Paterno on the coaching staff. The Paternos are out of the picture, like the campus statue of the family patriarch; erased like his coaching records.
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Penn State Scandal: Former president Spanier goes on offensive
Penn State’s disgraced former president is trying to convince the public he had no idea that Jerry Sandusky was a child molester. Graham Spanier claims that he most certainly did not protect one.
- More Penn State Scandal Headlines
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Paterno family speaks at child abuse event
