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

[Mike Nolan]

> The Board is clearly in control here which suggests that things may not be 
> going all that well for Spanier either.

There were some reports last night that former Pennsylvania Governor
Tom Ridge may be brought in to replace Spanier, at least on an interim
basis.  
 
> Boards generally don't like to reach into organizations and fire people in 
> the way that you described.  Retirements (forced or voluntary) are much more
> their style.

I'm not sure if the Board is still meeting tonight as first reported,
since they issued a lengthy statement last night saying that they would
appoint a committee at their regular Friday meeting, where the current
Governor of Pennsylvania is expected to attend.  This is an effort to
slow things down, it may not work.  

My expectations at this point are:

1.  Paterno will be allowed to finish the season.  (As people may recall,
    I've speculated several times in the past year that Paterno might have 
    been 'retired' at the end of the current season anyway.)  I agree that, 
    like Woody Hayes, the thing often cited first in referring to his 
    legacy over the years will be of what forced him out, not his many 
    accomplishments.  Where his replacement will come from is uncertain,
    it isn't clear who will even make that choice yet.  I don't know
    whetehr any of the current coaches will be in the running for anything
    beyond a caretaker season.  

2.  Spanier will be out within a week, probably Friday.  

3.  Other heads may still fall, either before the Board's committee
    completes its report, or afterwards.  

4.  The Pennsylvania legislature will amend state law to make all 
    all athletic coaches 'mandatory reporters'.  

5.  The NCAA will not get involved.  
--
Mike Nolan