The Penn St Dumpster Fire Thread

[Moontan]

As an aside, we kid about SEC schools, but what’s the deal with the serial rape and abuse at Big 10 schools?
From AI:
Several Big Ten schools have faced major abuse scandals, primarily involving sexual abuse by staff and hazing within athletic programs. Notable cases have occurred at Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Northwestern
.

Michigan State University

• Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal: In 2018, former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing hundreds of women and girls under his care. The scandal highlighted the university's failure to investigate repeated complaints about Nassar's conduct over many years.
• Settlements: The university has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to Nassar's victims.

Ohio State University

• Richard Strauss sexual abuse scandal: For decades, university physician Richard Strauss sexually abused hundreds of male student-athletes from 1979 to 1998, including members of the wrestling team and other sports. Allegations claimed that coaches, including former wrestling coach Jim Jordan, were aware of the abuse but took no action.
• Settlements: Ohio State has paid out tens of millions of dollars in settlements to Strauss's victims.

Pennsylvania State University

• Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal: In 2011, former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with and later convicted of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period.
• Institutional cover-up: The scandal revealed a widespread cover-up by high-ranking university officials, including President Graham Spanier and Athletic Director Tim Curley. Head football coach Joe Paterno was also fired for his role in concealing the abuse.

University of Michigan

• Robert Anderson sexual abuse scandal: Hundreds of former students and athletes alleged that former university physician Robert Anderson had sexually abused them over several decades, from 1966 to 2003. The university reached a massive settlement with the victims.

Northwestern University

• Football hazing and abuse scandal: In 2023, former football players detailed a pattern of systemic hazing, including sexual abuse, within the program. The revelations led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was initially suspended after an internal investigation. Lawsuits have since been filed against the university.
• Other sports: Allegations of hazing and sexual misconduct were also made in other Northwestern athletic programs, including baseball and volleyball.

Other institutions
Beyond these prominent cases, other Big Ten schools have faced abuse and misconduct issues. A Forbes article from 2018 noted that more than half of Big Ten schools had been the subject of a major scandal in the decade leading up to its publication, including cases of coaches at Rutgers, Indiana, and Illinois.

Don't forget the Vanderbilt case, which eventually led their coach to head to PSU.
---

The 2013 Vanderbilt rape case
This case gained international media attention and became a landmark event concerning campus sexual assault.

• The crime: In June 2013, four Vanderbilt football players—Brandon Vandenburg, Corey Batey, Brandon Banks, and Jaborian McKenzie—carried an unconscious 21-year-old female student into a dorm room. For over 30 minutes, they gang-raped and assaulted her, recording the acts with their phones. The victim, a neuroscience major, had no memory of the attack.
• Convictions: All four players were charged with aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery.
  • Vandenburg, Batey, and Banks: After multiple trials and appeals, these three were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 17 years.
  • McKenzie: He accepted a plea deal in 2018, testifying against his teammates in exchange for probation and sex offender registration.
  • Cover-up: A fifth player, Chris Boyd, was also charged for attempting to cover up the crime by encouraging teammates to remain silent and destroy evidence.
  • Impact: The case highlighted issues surrounding rape culture and bystander accountability, especially within collegiate sports. The victim's resilience in the face of multiple trials was praised, and the successful prosecution was seen by some as a victory for sexual assault survivors.

 

[BigNastyJon]

PSU fans need a Dan Mullen thread:

Former SEC head coach linked to Penn State head coaching vacancy

ESPN believes that a well-traveled former SEC coach would be a prime candidate for Penn State to pursue as it searches for a new leader.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

they need some spotters on the Pennsylvania turnpike, pronto.

 

[Chip]

Greatest job in the world is being fired from a high level college football program after a contract is signed. Jimbo Fisher agrees.

40+ million? Really?

What are we doing?

Imagine how much Cignetti is about to be guaranteed just to stay where he is.

The what are we doing question should have been asked about 20-25 years ago. It's too big to stop now.

 

[Toga]

they need some spotters on the Pennsylvania turnpike, pronto.

Homey don't do that turnpike.

 

[Cusefan95]

There had to be some big name people that did not like Franklin and were waiting for a reason to can him. Paterno had a stretch in the 2000's where he had losing seasons 4 out of 5 years. Franklin's only losing season was the covid year. I don't feel one bit sorry for him, but this is out of place.

The pitchforks were in hand and torches already lit before the season started. After the loss to Northwestern I figured he was a dead man walking but they'd at least get past Ohio State and Indiana before they fired him around 11/10/25. Then listening to Penn State fans and analysts in PA Saturday night and early Sunday (experiencing pure schadenfreude), I realized this was so out of control they almost had no option but to fire him now. There's at least a dozen reasons Penn State fans were skeptical of Franklin before the season even started - the firing was just the culmination of all the pent up frustrations and bad feelings that have been building almost from the moment he was hired.

 

[Archbold44]

The pitchforks were in hand and torches already lit before the season started. After the loss to Northwestern I figured he was a dead man walking but they'd at least get past Ohio State and Indiana before they fired him around 11/10/25. Then listening to Penn State fans and analysts in PA Saturday night and early Sunday (experiencing pure schadenfreude), I realized this was so out of control they almost had no option but to fire him now. There's at least a dozen reasons Penn State fans were skeptical of Franklin before the season even started - the firing was just the culmination of all the pent up frustrations and bad feelings that have been building almost from the moment he was hired.

What a terrible fan base! If Autry were to lose to two teams we are favored to beat by 20+ in November, we would be advocating patience...

 

[qdawgg]

I am just this far in this thread and I am sure it has been mentioned, but their shithead fanbase complained more about JoePa losing his wins than they did about all the children being violated.

They didn’t give a ______ about any of the kids. They (fans) may not have committed crimes but protecting football coaches and football wins was more important than exposing pedophiles. Scumbag program and fans.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Greatest job in the world is being fired from a high level college football program after a contract is signed. Jimbo Fisher agrees.

40+ million? Really?

What are we doing?

Did a quick search, looks like graduating from Penn State for an in-state student comes out to around $150k.

You can use $40 million to fire James Franklin, or 267ish undergrads could leave Penn State debt free.

 

[Cusefan95]

I don't, in any way shape or form. Their fan base was in in denial about those events, then to help vindicated when that scumbag Joe Paterno got his wins reinstated, and gleefully re-erected his statue.

If anything, the fan base deserves more blame than what they got. They learned nothing from this horrendous scandal, and in fact feel as though they've been wronged.

Screw all of them.

Lots wrong in your comments, but I'll focus on the statue. First, the statue was never "re-erected" - its still in storage. After it was removed there was a small group of alumni that announced a plan to create a new statue that would be placed outside The Tavern Restaurant. Its never been completed or installed and is unlikely to ever be installed.

This is very similar to the story about the Board of Trustees talking about honoring Paterno a couple years ago, there's a common pattern:
1) A small number of people suggest doing something to honor Paterno (in the case of the Board, it was one guy with Joe's son seconding the motion. Here it was a small group that announced a new statue would be commissioned).
2) 95% of Penn State fans and residents object to the idea.
3) Folks on Syracusefan get laser focused on Item #1, ignore Item #2 and proceed to lose their minds. Sometimes the laser focus on #1 isn't even correct information, as appears to be the case here.
4) We go through the ritual two minutes hate like honorable citizens of Oceania.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Its so tedious.

 

[RyanCuse44]

 

[BigNastyJon]

Homey don't do that turnpike.

Everytime I drive by the Amsterdam exit I think of you

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Lots wrong in your comments, but I'll focus on the statue. First, the statue was never "re-erected" - its still in storage. After it was removed there was a small group of alumni that announced a plan to create a new statue that would be placed outside The Tavern Restaurant. Its never been completed or installed and is unlikely to ever be installed.

This is very similar to the story about the Board of Trustees talking about honoring Paterno a couple years ago, there's a common pattern:
1) A small number of people suggest doing something to honor Paterno (in the case of the Board, it was one guy with Joe's son seconding the motion. Here it was a small group that announced a new statue would be commissioned).
2) 95% of Penn State fans and residents object to the idea.
3) Folks on Syracusefan get laser focused on Item #1, ignore Item #2 and proceed to lose their minds. Sometimes the laser focus on #1 isn't even correct information, as appears to be the case here.
4) We go through the ritual two minutes hate like honorable citizens of Oceania.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Its so tedious.

It's because the AD should have been dismantled.

The crimes were so egregious, and the punishments so imbalanced, that any whisper of anything slightly out of line from Penn St. reminds everyone of the injustice.

 

[Hoo's That]

Brent Pry is available.

 

[HtownOrange]

Brent Pry is available.

Mike Norvell could be available, without a fight.

 

[Dr. Bill]

I agree, Cignetti should be their first choice...But they signed him to a long term deal after just one season...I don't know that they have the cash to pay Franklin $49 million plus the buyout for Cignetti's contract, plus the new salary for Cignetti!!!! Think about how much money that is...probably in the $70 million neighborhood. They would be smart to look at Fran! Imagine what he could do with Penn state's resources..

I am not saying I want Coach Fran to bolt to Penn State...what I am saying is that he is on the short list for sure. Philadelphia Inquierer today had an article listing Fran Brown as a potential target...

 

[OburgOrange]

 

[tptcuse]

It's because the AD should have been dismantled.

The crimes were so egregious, and the punishments so imbalanced, that any whisper of anything slightly out of line from Penn St. reminds everyone of the injustice.

And weren't many of the punishments rescinded and Paterno given his wins back?

 

[Hoo's That]

Did a quick search, looks like graduating from Penn State for an in-state student comes out to around $150k.

You can use $40 million to fire James Franklin, or 267ish undergrads could leave Penn State debt free.

I think PA is one of the states that prohibits state money from being used for sports.

 

[SURules]

I think Sandusky just told them to hold my beer as he had that beat by a long shot in the showers.

 

[Cusefan95]

It's because the AD should have been dismantled.

The crimes were so egregious, and the punishments so imbalanced, that any whisper of anything slightly out of line from Penn St. reminds everyone of the injustice.

Let me know how you expected the AD to be dismantled. Were they going to just voluntarily shut down, or were we supposed to impose a shutdown with no legal right to do so?

If you feel a large business was going to just voluntarily shut down, I question your sanity and understanding of how business works, or ability to grasp the economic impacts of that closure. If you think we were supposed to impose a shutdown with no legal justification, I question your morality (and note that people like you are how you get dystopian nightmares like Satanist USR and the Khmer Rouge).

Frankly I’m far more concerned about people like you than Sandusky. While Sandusky can do more damage to people individually - when people like you band together to impose extrajudicial summary justice, there’s no limit to the damage you and your ilk do. And there’s far more of you than Sandusky’s in the world. (Usually this is where our budding resident Pol Pots start to exclaim there was a way to do it. There wasn’t - not with any existing laws and regulations. And Pol Pot and Stalin could usually fabricate justification for their extrajudicial actions as well).

You’re not morally superior. You just think you are.

 

[Toga]

It's because the AD should have been dismantled.

The crimes were so egregious, and the punishments so imbalanced, that any whisper of anything slightly out of line from Penn St. reminds everyone of the injustice.

I didn't have you pegged as a Satanist but here we are.

 

[wfschrec]

Let me know how you expected the AD to be dismantled. Were they going to just voluntarily shut down, or were we supposed to impose a shutdown with no legal right to do so?

If you feel a large business was going to just voluntarily shut down, I question your sanity and understanding of how business works, or ability to grasp the economic impacts of that closure. If you think we were supposed to impose a shutdown with no legal justification, I question your morality (and note that people like you are how you get dystopian nightmares like Satanist USR and the Khmer Rouge).

Frankly I’m far more concerned about people like you than Sandusky. While Sandusky can do more damage to people individually - when people like you band together to impose extrajudicial summary justice, there’s no limit to the damage you and your ilk do. And there’s far more of you than Sandusky’s in the world. (Usually this is where our budding resident Pol Pots start to exclaim there was a way to do it. There wasn’t - not with any existing laws and regulations. And Pol Pot and Stalin could usually fabricate justification for their extrajudicial actions as well).

You’re not morally superior. You just think you are.

This is by far the most bizarre take I have ever seen on this board and I’ve seen a few. OiG worse than Sandusky?

 

[Orijinal]

This is hilarious. Penn State fans are so entitled. Look at this résumé Franklin boasted! Are you kidding me???!! Penn State fans are so obnoxious, they think Franklin is not good enough (and worth shelling out $50 mil for) and should be canned because he had 3 (I mean 3 total) unseemly losses this year with half the season still to play!

This fan base thinks they are entitled to a national title run every year, and if they don't get it, throw away massive amounts money!!! Laff my butt off! Someone said it on the Big Ten Network that if a 12 team playoff had existed when Franklin was first hired, Penn State would have made the playoff most (if not every) year! And they feel justified with this garbage!! For 3 losses!!!

If I were a coach looking for a job with stability, I wouldn't touch this position with a ten-foot pole. If you take the job, just don't lose more than 3 games in any one season or your a## is on the line. Fran and every other coach, be warned. This position is absolute poison!

 

[Cusefan95]

I think PA is one of the states that prohibits state money from being used for sports.

This is accurate. It’s due to the way Penn State University is organized. It’s not state owned, it’s a state related public-private enterprise. It leads to a problem of an insular university with limited/inadequate oversight by the state government…Philadelphia Enquirer has been banging the drum about this for many years. I think most people realize it’s a problem but it’s so damn big now that nobody knows how to fix it. Making it a state owned University is probably the only real fix, but there’s a load of obstacles that would need to be cleared for that to happen.

 

[Symphony Steve]

This is accurate. It’s due to the way Penn State University is organized. It’s not state owned, it’s a state related public-private enterprise. It leads to a problem of an insular university with limited/inadequate oversight by the state government…Philadelphia Enquirer has been banging the drum about this for many years. I think most people realize it’s a problem but it’s so damn big now that nobody knows how to fix it. Making it a state owned University is probably the only real fix, but there’s a load of obstacles that would need to be cleared for that to happen.

Yeah, that's the way the University of Delaware operates as well.

When it comes to opening up their books, they're a private university.

When it comes to being a public entity, they still back up the Brinks Truck to Legislative Hall every June 30.

It sucks.