Penn State Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno | featured news

Penn State's former coach Joe Paterno congratulated the man who is succeeding him to permanently head the school's embattled football program. New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is filling the spot held for decades by the iconic Paterno, let go by the school last fall amid a scandal over alleged child sex abuse by a former coach.

Paterno, 84, and school President Graham Spanier are removed by Penn State's Board of Trustees in a unanimous decision. Paterno earlier said he would retire at the end of the season, his 46th as head coach.

Joe Paterno has decided to retire at the end of Penn State's football season, the Associated Press is reporting... Pressure for Paterno's departure has mounted in the last week after felony sex-abuse charges were filed against Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State player and Paterno's longtime defensive coordinator. Sandusky retired from Paterno's staff in 1999.