Joe Paterno to retire from Penn State at the end of the season

The AP is reporting that Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will retire following the 2011 season.

Paterno has come under great scrutiny for his part in the handling of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal that has sent shock-waves throughout Happy Valley this week.

I don't know if Paterno's decision to retire is directly related to the Sandusky case, but in my opinion, Paterno shouldn't even be allowed to finish out the rest of the year.

Yes, I know Joe Paterno isn't a monster or a criminal, and it's hard to say what anyone would do if they were in Joe Paterno's shoes when he was made aware of the inappropriate behavior that took place between Sandusky and a young child way back in 2002, but Paterno is the face of Penn State, he's the one who put the program on the map, and ultimately, he turned a blind eye by not being more vocal about such a serious situation.

Paterno is a god in State College. If he would have been more proactive, no doubt, he could have prevented future kids from being victimized.

Paterno should be told to step down immediately, and should not be allowed to experience any sort of retirement tour.

This would send a clear cut message to people, like the Penn State students who were rallying in support of Paterno on his lawn last evening, that no matter what Paterno helped build in State College, there is nothing more important than the welfare of innocent children.

If Paterno is allowed to finish out the year, that would be an absolute disgrace.