Joe Paterno’s 46-year run as head coach of Penn State’s football team came to an abrupt end Wednesday night.
Paterno was told over the phone that he would no longer coach the team, the Board of Trustees announced at a 10 p.m. press conference.
"The university is much larger than its athletic teams," board vice chair John Surma said during a packed news conference.
Speaking at his house to students, Paterno said, "Right now, I'm not the football coach, and that's something I have to get used to."
He later in the night released a longer statement:
"I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees' decision, but I have to accept it.
A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.
I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt."
Penn State Trustees released a short statement announcing the changes:
The Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees and Graham Spanier have decided that, effective immediately, Dr. Spanier is no longer president of the University. Additionally, the board determined that it is in the best interest of the University for Joe Paterno to no longer serve as head football coach, effective immediately.
The board has named Dr. Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost, as the interim president of the University. Tom Bradley, assistant coach, has been named interim head football coach.
The massive shakeup Wednesday night came hours after Paterno announced that he planned to retire at the end of his 46th season.
But the outcry following the arrest of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky on molestation charges proved too much for the board to ignore.
One key question has been why Paterno and other top school officials didn't go to police in 2002 after being told a graduate assistant saw Sandusky assaulting a boy in a school shower.
Paterno says he should have done more. Spanier has said he was not told the details of the attack. Sandusky has denied the charges.
Earlier in the day, Paterno said in a statement he was “absolutely devastated” by the case, in which Sandusky, his onetime heir apparent was charged with molesting eight boys in 15 years, with some of the alleged abuse taking place at the Penn State football complex.
“This is a tragedy,” Paterno said. “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
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“These decisions were made after careful deliberations and in the best interests of the university as a whole,” Surma said.
Earlier Wednesday the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to Spanier stating that they would be investigating PSU's handling of reporting the allegations.
Penn State students poured out into the streets to demonstrate following JoePa's firing. Many gathered in front of Old Main and later on Beaver Avenue, chanting slogans like "We want Joe" after the unceremonious end of their legendary coach's career.
Some people in the crowd turned violent flipping over an Altoona news station's van.
JoePa's wife Sue came out of the Paterno house late Wednesday night to and was crying as she asked the crowd to go home. Later JoePa joined his wife as he asked students to go home and study.
Paterno leaves Penn State as the winningest coach in Division 1-A college football history with a 409-136-3 record and two national championships.
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