Paper calls for departures of Penn State president and Joe Paterno

The Cutline

In the wake of the child molestation allegations that have rocked the Penn State University football program, the Harrisburg Patriot-News--the paper that broke the story--has published a scathing, front-page editorial on Tuesday, calling for the school's president to resign and for its legendary coach, Joe Paterno, to leave after the season.

"It has become increasingly clear that while Penn State University President Graham Spanier has not been charged with breaking any laws, he did not do what is right--for his school or, more importantly, for the alleged victims of coaching legend Jerry Sandusky," the editorial reads. "Spanier needs to step aside. If he doesn't, the university board of trustees needs to take that step when it meets this week. As for Joe Paterno, the face of Penn State and the man who has pushed for excellence on the football field and for the entire university, this must be his last season. His contract should not be extended."

More from the paper:

It is impossible not to cringe when hearing the charges against Sandusky. From 1994 to 2008, he is said to have sexually abused eight boys as young as 8 years old. Some victims reported up to 20 incidents.

"This is not about age," the paper said of Paterno, who is 84. "This is not about rebuilding a football team." It's about Paterno's actions when he heard about the allegations against Sandusky. While the coach said he alerted the school's athletic director, Paterno should have done more, the editorial states:

Neither Joe Paterno nor Graham Spanier called the police. Neither Joe Paterno nor Graham Spanier seem to have demonstrated any concern for the victim. They never tried to find him. They never tried to get him the emotional help he might need.

Meanwhile, Penn State has canceled Paterno's weekly press conference that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

"Due to the on-going legal circumstances centered around the recent allegations and charges, we have determined that today's press conference cannot be held and will not be re-scheduled," the school said.

Earlier, school officials had warned journalists planning to cover the press conference not to ask Paterno "non-football questions."

"If Penn State is serious that Joe Paterno only will answer questions about Nebraska today, reporters should walk out of news conference," Newsday columnist Neil Best wrote on Twitter.

CBS Sports' Gregg Doyel added: "I didn't come here to talk fullbacks."

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