In the midst of a sex scandal that has consumed Penn State University, legendary head coach Joe Paterno will reportedly announce his retirement on Wednesday. His retirement would take effect at the end of the season.

In a statement, Paterno said, “I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.”

Paterno has been heavily criticized for not doing more when made aware of child molestation allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky is accused of sexually abusing eight young boys over a 15-year period, although a dozen more young men have now come forward with similar allegations.

According to testimony he gave the grand jury investigating the case, Paterno informed university officials, as required by Pennsylvania law, when he was told of Sandusky’s behavior. But Paterno has come under fire for not going to law enforcement immediately or taking any further action once it was apparent that his superiors at Penn State were not acting on the allegations.

PSU athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz have both been charged with perjury for lying to the grand jury, and sources say university president Graham Spanier could be next as the controversy continues to grow.

The 84-year old Paterno recently set the record for most career wins (409) as a head coach. He has been the Nittany Lions’ leader since 1966 and has won two national championships. His 12th-ranked Nittany Lions host #19 Nebraska this Saturday.

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