Joe Paterno fired as Penn State football coach

Joe Paterno and his wife, Sue, greet supporters at their home in State College, Pa., on Nov. 9, 2011, the night the university’s Board of Trustees announced he was ousted as Penn State’s football coach.  (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)

Police wear riot gear as crowds build on the streets.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

The streets of State College, Pa., fill with students and members of the community Wednesday night after the Penn State Board of Trustees fired football coach Joe Paterno.  (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Penn State students, one holding a cutout of Joe Paterno, rally in defense of the ousted coach near the campus in State College, Pa.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno arrives home in State College, Pa. Paterno was fired Wednesday night, his long career brought down by his failure to do more about an allegation of child sex abuse against a former assistant. Paterno said in a statement earlier Wednesday that he is “absolutely devastated” by the developments in the case of Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator accused of molesting eight boys over 15 years.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

Students rally in support of Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno near the school’s campus Tuesday, on a day when Paterno’s support among the Penn State board of trustees was described as “eroding.” He announced his retirement on Wednesday.  (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)