Paterno to step down at end of season

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno's decision to retire is an extraordinary turn in an already stunning week. Many said he should have responded more assertively to complaints about his long-time assistant Jerry Sandusky. NBC’s Ron Allen reports.

WILLIAMS: Good evening.

BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor: Forget for the moment the fact that one of the most storied names in college sports is enveloped in scandal and may never be the same . Tonight, the human toll is staggering. A ninth potential victim has come forward in a sex scandal at Penn State University . And on that landmark campus, names and reputations are falling fast. The mythic head coach Joe Paterno will soon be out, and it may not stop there. This one could reach to the college president 's office. Again tonight, NBC 's Ron Allen is there for us, State College , PA. Ron , good evening.

RON ALLEN reporting: Good evening, Brian . Joe Paterno may not be the only one on his way out soon. You're right, the college president here, Graham Spanier , here for some 16 years, is under a lot of pressure to resign as well. And NBC News has just learned the Department of Education in Washington is going to launch its own investigation to see if any federal laws have been broken here as well. Coach Joe Paterno left home this morning to break the news to his players. After 46 years, he's through.

Mr. PAUL JONES (Penn State Football Player): He was crying the whole time he was talking.

ALLEN: In a statement, Paterno said he would retire when football season ends. "I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families," he wrote, adding, "With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

Mr. JOE PATERNO: You're great.

Offscreen Voice: Joe !

Mr. PATERNO: OK, God bless every single one of you.

ALLEN: Last night, thousands rallied behind the man affectionately known as " JoePa ." But Paterno faces withering criticism for not intervening or calling police after an eyewitness told him in 2002 that longtime assistant coach Jerry Sandusky had sexually assaulted a young boy in a football team facility. Two of Sandusky 's former bosses are also charged with perjury and failing to notify authorities about complaints reported to them. All three men have denied the charges. Still, today, in a tent camp called Paternoville , loyalty from fans waiting to buy football tickets.

Mr. TROY WELLER (Penn State Junior): I think people should be focusing on what made him here. He is a Penn State icon. He is Penn State .

ALLEN: But the dominant feeling here is outrage over a culture of official silence while children were allegedly being molested, and also worry about the

victims themselves. On social media, this tweet: "Kids can't defend themselves. We must be there for them!"

ALLEN: Meanwhile, the alleged victims remain in seclusion.

Ms. SARA GANIM (The Patriot News): They feel kind of like they've been victimized twice.

ALLEN: Two mothers told reporter Sara Ganim they feel betrayed by Penn State as details emerge of what they see as a cover-up, saying one of their sons, now 24, complained about Sandusky more than 10 years ago but no one listened.

Ms. GANIM: They want justice. They realize that they're going to be struggling with it for a long time.

ALLEN: The football season is still a few months from completion and the school's board of governors may want Paterno away from the team and out of the public spotlight immediately. And we understand prosecutors have a number of possible victims who they're interviewing to verify their stories of alleged

sexual abuse. Brian: Ron Allen on the Penn State campus, starting us off tonight. Ron , thank you.

WILLIAMS: