What was already an extremely fluid situation at Penn State has taken many twists and turns in the first half of the day today already, with calls for Joe Paterno to step down surfacing in full force and at least one report that the process of pushing the coaching legend into retirement has already commenced amid the latest fallout from Jerry Sandusky‘s indictment.
In that 40-count indictment, the former Penn State defensive coordinator was charged with sexually abusing eight minor males during a period that spanned both from his time on Paterno’s coaching staff and after his retirement following the 1999 season. Now there’s at least one more victim who’s come forward alleging abuse at the hands of Sandusky.
The Patriot-News is reporting that a man currently in his 20s contacted state police Sunday after hearing of the charges filed against Sandusky. The ninth victim alleges he was sexually assaulted in the early 2000s in a manner similar to what was described by other victims in the grand jury’s indictment.
Prior to taking the allegations to state police two days ago, the paper writes, the victim did not tell his parents or the authorities.
The latest alleged victim’s allegations have subsequently been forwarded up the state police’s chain of command for further investigation, the Associated Press reports.
As for Paterno’s short- and long-term status as the Nittany Lions’ head coach, the legendary coach’s son is claiming the Times’ retirement report is premature. Scott Paterno tweeted earlier today that there have been no discussions with Penn State officials regarding his father retiring, and reiterated that stance outside of the Paterno home shortly before JoePa left for practice as scheduled.
“There has been no contact about anything to do with anybody stepping down,” Scott Paterno told the Daily Collegian, the school’s student newspaper. “That’s all we really have at this time.”
There have been rumors making the rounds that Joe Paterno is attempting to arrange a press conference to address the burgeoning scandal -- president Graham Spanier canceled the coach’s regularly scheduled press conference earlier today -- although it remains uncertain whether that will actually take place.