Joe Paterno Won't Be Ousted from Penn State Without a Fight

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is not going to be the coach much longer. Whether the university acts themselves, or the legendary 84-year-old resigns, his time is coming to an end in Happy Valley.

But he won't go quietly. And by that I mean there will be heavy support from fans, alumni, players and former players on both sides of the fence.

This isn't just the end of an era for one of the most prestigious football programs in the country—it is the end of an era in college football.

Paterno, the winningest coach in history, has supporters clamoring to defend him as well many calling for his head.

According to a report from ESPN.com's Brian Bennett, Paterno addressed a group of several hundred students that rallied outside his house last night in a show of support.

Choruses of "We are Penn State!" and "Joe Paterno" echoed throughout the street before the embattled coach surfaced. Finally, when it looked like the group was getting ready to leave, Paterno walked out to greet them.

He was quoted as saying:

"

I can't tell you how much this means to me. I've lived for this place. I've lived for people like you guys and girls.

"

The group didn't stop there. As the night grew on so did their numbers. By midnight it had swelled to thousands as they stood guard over Joe Paterno's statue outside Beaver Stadium.

Plain and simple: there is no ousting Paterno without a fight.

However, according to the L.A. Times, Paterno is losing support from the board of trustees.

This is to be expected, though. With a situation as complex, layered and emotionally disturbing as this, there are few—if any—in power at Penn State that will survive the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal.

The one with the most controversial ousting will certainly be Paterno though. 

Support from the fans continues to go both ways.

Twitter, as it often does, gives us great examples of the feelings around Penn State right now.

There are plenty in support:

And plenty against him:

All in all, this situation is not going to end quietly. 

Not because Joe Paterno is going to cause a scene, but because there are still many who have his back ready to fight with the ones who want his head.

With three football games to go this season, including one at home in Beaver Stadium this Saturday, there is no immediate end in sight.

And when the end does come, it will become another problem entirely.