Hundreds spilled into the streets at Penn State early Thursday morning following news that football head coach Joe Paterno and the school’s president were ousted over a child sex abuse scandal at the university.
What started as an apparent celebration of Paterno turned raucous, as the crowd tipped over a news van and decried the media. The university said on its Facebook page that police issued a dispersal order for the Old Main and downtown areas, and “everyone must vacate both areas immediately.”
By 2 a.m., the scene had largely cleared.
The disturbance came shortly after university trustees announced Wednesday night that Paterno, the winningest coach in major college football, and Penn State President Graham Spanier were out of their jobs, effective immediately.
“What can I say, I’m no longer the coach,” Paterno told about 15 students gathered outside his house late Wednesday night. “It’s going to take some time to get used to. It’s been 61 years.
The crowd cheered and said, “We love you, Joe.”
“I love you, too!” Paterno replied.
Paterno’s wife, Sue, stood beside him on the front steps, visibly upset.
Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as interim head coach. Rod Erickson, executive vice president and provost of the school, will be interim president, school officials said.
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article courtesy of CNN.com
