Joe Paterno Fired: Tom Bradley Takes over on Interim Basis for Departed Paterno

Penn State introduced defensive coordinator Tom Bradley as the team's interim head coach today in the wake of the firing of long-time head coach Joe Paterno. Bradley was bombarded with questions by reporters in a press conference.

Bradley has been a long-time member of the Penn State family. A Penn State graduate who played defensive back for the Nittany Lions from 1977 to 1978, Bradley was an assistant under Paterno from 1979 until 1999 when he was named defensive coordinator.

That position coincidentally opened up when former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky abruptly retired in 1999. It is Sandusky's alleged child sex abuse scandal that led to the dismissal of Paterno and other high-ranking Penn State officials and forced Bradley into the role of interim head coach.

The questions ranged from what he might have known about Sandusky's actions to how the team would perform on Saturday, and even whether wide receivers coach Mike McQueary would be coaching against Nebraska.

With regards to McQueary, Bradley said that he expects McQueary to coach on Saturday and that he would likely be on the sidelines. Much of that, of course, depends upon whether the administration decides to take any further action.

Bradley brushed aside many of the questions regarding the Sandusky scandal, as it seems he has been told to avoid commenting as the investigation is ongoing. Bradley was short with essentially every answer that did not involve the performance of what is now his football team.

It is clear that Bradley was a bit shaken by the dismissal of Paterno. When asked about where he thought Paterno should be on Saturday, Bradley said that Paterno has meant more to him than anyone other than his father, and that he would rather not address it.

Bradley had nothing but good things to say about Paterno and called him not only one of the greatest football coaches ever, but one of the greatest men.

Despite Paterno's absence, Bradley said that it would be business as usual for the football team and that he expects a great effort on Saturday.