[NU Sports] If you ran Penn State...

[Mike Nolan]

> I am not familiar with the NCAA regulations but I'm not sure this is a death
> penalty/ sports issue. The NCAA should be focused on the players going to
> class, not receiving money, etc. I could stand corrected, but I don't see 
> the NCAA getting deeply involved. 

Moreover, in order for the NCAA 'death penalty' to apply, a school needs 
to already be on probation for a major violation, which Penn State is not.

As Ohio State found out, lying to the NCAA is a major violation, but
it is not clear whether Penn State has yet told the NCAA anything
about this, or even whether it should have under NCAA regulations.  

And as to whether Penn State President Graham Spanier should clean
house by firing Paterno (he tried to 'retire' JoePa a year or two ago,
so he could see this as his chance), it also isn't clear yet whether 
Spanier will escape criminal charges himself.  

The statements yesterday said that Joe Paterno is not a target of the 
investigation, but when asked about Spanier, the response was 
"This is still an open investigation."

Paterno is scheduled to meet with the press at around 12:20 PM (EST) today,
I suspect ESPN and others will carry it live.
--
Mike Nolan