“Failed to Protect the Children”: Penn State Abuse Scandal Involving Late Coach Joe Paterno and Jerry Sandusky

The offender also lost his life two years ago!

October 1, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 18, 2026

The Joe Paterno Scandal centers around the crime of former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky in November 2011 for the serial child sex abuse.

Sandusky was found guilty in June 2012 on 45 counts of child sexual abuse, and by October, he was sent to the State Correctional Institution, Greene in Pennsylvania, a maximum-security prison, sentencing him to 30 to 60 years behind bars.

Jerry Sandusky died on October 9, 2026, at the age of 78 while serving his prison sentence.

Soon after Sandusky was arrested in November 2011, Joe Paterno was fired as the head coach on November 9, 2011, by the Penn State Board of Trustees.

“With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more,” said the former coach after getting fired.

Penn State later hired a former FBO director to investigate the case to obtain further details. According to the report, which was released on July 12, 2012, some university leaders “failed to protect the children.”

It was also found that the university prioritized its reputation and football program over the safety of children and victims.

By the time the investigation reports and details were released, Patterno had already lost his life at the age of 85.

The former Penn State Coach passed away in State College, Pennsylvania, from complications of lung cancer, which had been diagnosed only a few months earlier, shortly after he was fired by Penn State University.

The University later paid to settle claims. In October 2013, Penn State announced payments of $59.7 million to 26 men.

Penn State’s payments and costs later grew, above $90 million, as more claims came forward.

The NCAA also fined Penn State $60 million in 2012 and put limits on the football program, including scholarship cuts and a multi-year postseason ban from 2012 to 2015.

Some penalties were later reduced or changed; the NCAA restored the 111 football wins that had been vacated from 1998 to 2011 as part of the 2015 settlement.

The scandal, one of the worst in College Football history, left a lasting impact on both Penn State and college athletics in the USA.

Universities were more serious in reviewing and tightening the policies on reporting abuse, ensuring the players’ and children’s safety.

However, some people also defended the late coach, while others criticized his position as a head coach, which came with significant responsibilities.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Joe Paterno spent 61 years as a Penn State football coach, which includes 16 years as an assistant under Rip Engle and 45 years as the head coach.
• The last head coach won two national championships in 1982 and 1994. He also went five seasons undefeated with the Penn State.
• Penn State, under his coaching produced numerous NFL great talents including, Jack Ham, Mike Munchak, Kerry Collins, Lavar Arrington, and Saquon Barkley.

• Check other Articles on

Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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