Penn State Scandal: Sandusky Was Still Welcome On Campus

It's bad enough that Penn State coach Joe Paterno didn't do enough to stop Jerry Sandusky's alleged, unspeakable acts of sex abuse on young boys.

Even worse, two key administrators aided in a cover up.

Now, according to CBSsports.com, it has been revealed that Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator, was not only allowed to work out on campus, but also keep an office as part of his retirement package from over a decade ago.

What does this say about Joe Paterno and the Penn State program? It's not good.

To be fair, the "you think you know someone, and now this" adage rings true. If Paterno knew about Sandusky's heinous activity to begin with, then he would have never been hired, obviously. But with allegations as serious as these, there is simply no excuse to "look the other way."

It's one thing if Sandusky were to have, say, a gambling problem. Sure, keep him around, get the man some help, and go along your merry way. Trouble is, his sins were much more egregious. And Penn State--demigod and legend Joe Paterno included--didn't do enough. Why was the man allowed to keep an office in the locker room, much less work out there with all of the allegations against him? Wouldn't it be common sense to send him packing, "see you in court?"

At best, Paterno will be forced to resign, his storied 45-year coaching career tarnished beyond repair. Of course, a typical fan's knee-jerk reaction would be to think that that's a shame. Nearly half a century--Paterno's life's work--gone in an instant, only to be remembered for this shameful scandal.

Then again, considering that he picked the worst time and the worst crime to look the other way on, well, did he bring some of it on himself? Or is he an unfortunate victim of circumstance? He's holding a news conference today as this story continues to unfold, but evidence points to the former.

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