UNIVERSITY PARK -- The Joe Paterno era ended Wednesday under a cloud of pepper spray used by police on Penn State students.
The 84-year-old coach was fired Wednesday by a unaminous vote of the Penn State Board of Trustees. Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley is the interim coach.
"I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees' decision, but I have to accept it," Paterno said in a written statement.
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"A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.
"I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt."
Very emotional students gathered in front of Old Main after the trustees' announcement and then started down toward Beaver Canyon in State College. "We are ... Penn State," was the chant as students were on the move on Beaver Avenue. They also chanted, "We want Joe!" as police in riot gear watched nearby.
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Mirror photo by J.D. Cavrich
Dozens of media members remain outside Joe Paterno's home in State College Wednesday afternoon after the announcement that he will be retiring at the end of the season
Police issued a dispersal order for Old Main and downtown State College about 12:30 a.m. Thursday as rioting started in Beaver Canyon.
About 12:45 a.m., a Mirror reporter said that police started using pepper spray on the rioters and moved in to make arrests on East College Avenue.
A WTAJ-TV news van was flipped over on East College Avenue during the riot. One injured person was taken away for treatment, a Mirror reporter said from the scene. Firefighters from the Alpha Fire Company soaked up spilled gas from the van.
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Joe Paterno's statement
"I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees' decision, but I have to accept it.
"A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.
"I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt."
Earlier Wednesday, Paterno released a statement saying he planned to retire at the end of the season:
"I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.
"I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
"That's why 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.
"This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
"My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University."
Logan Township police were dispatched late Wednesday to the areas of Penn State Altoona and the Nittany Pointe apartment complex for a report of gathering students who were yelling from the balconies of the apartment complex.
There were no issues reported when officers arrived in the area, Logan Township Police Chief Ron Heller said.
Paterno's firing follows his announcement earlier in the day that he would retire at the end of the current season.
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"It was in the best long-term interests of the university. ... We thought this was necessary," Board of Trustees Vice Chairman John Surma said.
One of the protesters carried a sign on Beaver Avenue stating, "JoePa is our best interest."
"I've told you all I can tell about that," Surma said in responding to a question about Paterno's firing after 46 years of service to the university as head football coach. Paterno had been part of the Penn State football program since 1961.
"He's made a great contribution to the university. We all know that," Surma said.
University President Graham Spanier's tenure after 16 years also ended Wednesday after he was fired as well, four days after a child-sex abuse scandal broke following the arrest of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
Rodney Erickson will be the interim Penn State president, effective immediately. Before the interim promotion, Erickson was the university's executive vice president and provost.
Spanier issued a statement late Wednesday about his firing.
"I am heartbroken to think that any child may have been hurt and have deep convictions about the need to protect children and youth. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who may have been victimized. I would never hesitate to report a crime if I had any suspicion that one had been committed," Spanier said.
"The acts of no one person should define this university. Penn State is defined by the traditions, loyalty and integrity of hundreds of thousands of students, alumni and employees.
Penn State and its Board of Trustees are in the throes of dealing with and recovering from this crisis and there is wisdom in a transition in leadership so that there are no distractions in allowing the university to move forward."
The trustees' job is to make the determination to fire Paterno and Spanier, Surma said during a contentious news conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center.
"This is the best we could do," he said.
"It's a sad day for college football," former Penn State football standout and ESPN analyst Matt Millen told ESPN late Wednesday.
