Here’s some unsolicited advice to Penn State students – you are up in arms over the wrong thing.  You shouldn’t be protesting Paterno’s exit – you should be protesting the fact that the Coach you so admire allowed little boys to be abused, and turned a blind eye….literally. 

Penn State was one of those schools that prided itself on being “clean” back in the day when a college sports scandal usually involved an alumnus purchasing a car for a hot recruit. Paterno, who was well on his way to a legacy akin to that of Vince Lombardi, prided himself on being free from those sorts of allegations.  This is worse.  Far worse.

Even though Paterno, who reportedly hired a criminal attorney, has coached his last game, the reputational implications for the University will live on for a long time.  Some would say that this requires bold action – like suing Paterno or suspending the football team for a couple of years, to rebuild it from scratch.  I’m not a fan of punishing the kids – those who play and those who chose Penn State and are looking forward to the weekend football game as part of their college experience.

What can Penn State do to put this behind them?

1.  Open the kimono…it’s time to ‘fess up, take responsibility and make some sort of reparation to the victims before a court requires you to do so.  No amount of money can “fix” those abused children…but until Penn State does this, they can’t move on to what comes next.
2. Take action against anyone and everyone who was peripherally involved…if you knew, might have known or should have known – start looking for a job.
3. Choose your next head coach carefully – and from the outside.  Thoroughly investigate the candidates, and involve credible third parties to do so.
4. Implement a policy that prohibits a child from being alone with an adult for any reason.  Hundreds, if not thousands, of children attend camps, clinics and programs at Penn State each year (or at least they used to).  This is closing the barn door after the cows have escaped, for sure. But it needs to be done.
5. Lead with something other than football.  I’ve seen Penn State students take to social media saying that football doesn’t define the University.  Really?  Because to most people Paterno, Penn State and football are inextricably linked. Penn State should lean in to the prominent alumni, focus on academic programs…anything other than football.  

The reputational implications are significant, but the practical consideration is that Penn State is likely to see a change in its applicant pool – parents just won’t feel good about sending  their kids to a place they no longer trust.    It’s going to be a long haul.  It’s not likely that there will be a bigger scandal to take them off the hot seat – although Herman Cain should send Paterno flowers.

cwinters General Corporate Joe Paterno, Penn State Scandal

Tags: Joe Paterno, Penn State Scandal