Tom Bradley: Promoting Jerry Sandusky's Successor Latest Moronic Move by PSU

Penn State had a chance to wipe the slate clean with everyone that has a tie into the Jerry Sandusky scandal. And Penn State failed miserably, again, in handling this horrible scandal that has rocked this university to its core.  

The announcing of Tom Brandley, who took over for Sandusky as the team’s defensive coordinator when Sandusky retired, as the new head coach of the Penn State football team was the worst thing that the university could have done.  

Well, almost the worst thing. The worst thing would have been either keeping Joe Paterno as the head coach, or promoting the other coach that is involved in this case, wide receivers coach Mike McQueary.  

But let’s list the dumb moves by Penn State since this scandal broke last week.  

First, there was the cover-up that was detailed in the grand jury report that was released on Saturday. Never going to the authorities to protect the former defensive coordinator was the stupidest thing everyone at Penn State could have done.  

Then, there was the press conference canceling, where Paterno had a chance to come out and try to speak his part. In Paterno’s mind he did the right thing. He thinks that everything that he did in trying to stop what Sandusky was allegedly doing was enough. 

But Penn State failed in letting us know that.  

Next, there was the way that they fired Paterno, by holding a trustees meeting late last night. Their decision by firing him was a move that they had to do. But, the way that they did it, by firing Joe over the phone was the wrong move. 

Their failures of how they fired Paterno, who is still beloved by the Penn State undergrad population, caused an explosion of feeling from the undergrads which led to property damage and more public shame.  

Lastly, there is the hiring of Sandusky’s replacement. Penn State had to find an interim head coach to fill this week’s football game. To cancel their remaining games would have been unfair to the current 52-man roster that is having a great season.  

But to hire Sandusky’s replacement just keeps this horrible story at the forefront of their football season.  

If Penn State wanted to start fresh for the remaining three regular season games, the possible Big Ten Championship game and then eventual bowl game, it should have just left the head coaching position vacant, or hired anyone else that couldn’t be tied into Jerry Sandusky.  

Instead, the people in charge of Penn State continue to fail everyone associated with the school with their wrong decisions. 

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