On Nov. 9, Pennsylvania State University head football coach Joe Paterno announced his decision to retire at the end of the current football season. He reasoned that the time had come where he felt he needed to call it quits, likely as a result of the scandal surrounding allegations to former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, whose arrest on the charges of child sex abuse sparked controversy around the storied coach. Paterno thought the Penn State board of trustees did not need to deliberate whether they would keep him on staff next season.

The trustees, however, did talk with each other about Paterno’s future with Penn State. Hours after Paterno’s retirement speech, they elected to fire him and PSU president Graham Spanier. Their reasoning: even if Paterno had no idea what was going on, he should have kept a better eye on things. Since he knew, he did all he had to by legal definition, but not all within his power.

The Penn State trustees were well within their minds and rights to oust the university president and longtime head football coach. The actual charges came against a different man, yes, but both knew for nine years about the crimes. They only did what would not land them in prison. They failed to seek true justice. Both now pay for it, and Paterno’s 61-year legacy now shines with what little this stain doesn’t cover. As several casual commentators put it, “The Sandusky scandal is his legacy now.”

I personally respect Joe Paterno and appreciate all he has done for college football and for Penn State University. I’ll still follow Penn State sports. I consider Penn State even more now because of this. I agree with the board because of their reason behind their decision. Joe Paterno, though he did not commit a crime worth an arrest, in a way covered for Sandusky when he heard and only issued a quiet boot to the former defensive coordinator. Sandusky awaits trial at the moment. He denied his crimes and stands innocent until proven guilty, but that does not excuse Paterno.

Earlier that day, Paterno announced his retirement at the end of the season. He wanted to leave on his own terms in light of the allegations. He should have resigned on the spot given his role in the scandal. It doesn’t matter that the Nebraska game was the last home game for the Nittany Lions this season or that it would have broken the record for the most games any head coach played in college football. Special occasions cannot call for special exceptions in these matters where those in position to act need to act fast.

There are many people who believe Paterno should have had the rest of the season as he planned. At the very least, the last home game of the season. They believe he should have gone out as the man who did so much for them in his 61 years with the university. The trustees shouldn’t have forced him out amid such a disgrace. As much as he has helped the Penn State program mature into a contender over time, everything changes over time. Paterno showed in his inaction and his approach that his values changed. The man who took the podium was not the man from the 30 years as head coach before this mess began.

There really was no middle ground. Either the board of trustees let Paterno leave how he wanted or how they thought was best for Penn State. Joe Pa’s decisions showed he was too interested in Joe Pa and not the school that gave him a job and a place to call home for the majority of his life. I love him and still hold a great respect for him, but this is the one place I do not stand with him. While his actions are forgivable, the board had to issue punishment. They were wise in how they carried out that end. If Joe Paterno ever was Penn State, he isn’t now.