Penn State Football coach Joe Paterno will retire at the end of the season.
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Joe Paterno
In a written statement announcing the decision, Paterno said his goal was to keep his commitments to the college's players and staff and to finish "the season with dignity and determination."
"I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case," Paterno said. "I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief."
"This is a tragedy," he said. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."
"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," he added. "I have the same goal today."
Paterno's decision comes in the wake of a scandalover a former assistant coach's alleged sexual abuse of boys and cover-up by school officials.