Report: Penn State Said To Be Planning Paterno's Exit

Penn State University is planning how and when Joe Paterno will end his tenure as the head coach of the Nittany Lions, according to The New York Times.

Sources have told The Times that discussions have begun about how to manage the departure of the legendary head coach, which could reportedly come within days or weeks. While the board of trustees has not yet met to discuss the issue, two people with knowledge of the University’s plans have told The Times that Paterno, at the least, will not return to coach his 47th season with the school.

Paterno, 84, has received criticism by those who believe he should have done more in the wake of the recent sexual-abuse scandal that has rocked the school's football program. Earlier this week, longtime Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child molestation charges stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred between 1994 and 2009, involving eight young boys.

Paterno became aware of the infractions in 2002 when a graduate student told the head coach that he had witnessed Sandusky showering with a ten-year-old boy at the school’s football facility. Paterno in turn reported the incident to the administration, however, the administration failed to notify the police, breaking Pennsylvania law.