Joe Paterno Retiring, Hires PR Expert

PHILADELPHIA - Joe Paterno has confirmed he will retire as Penn State football coach at the end of the current season.

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 "I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season," Paterno said in a statement.

"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."

"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."

Paterno's son, Scott Paterno, also said on Twitter that he is no loner handling publicity for his father.

Scott Paterno aid PR specialist Dan McGinn is now representing the Paterno family.

Scott Paterno also said his father decided to retire on his own and didn't speak with the Penn State Board of Trustees.

McGinn's clients, as listed on his corporate Web site, include Texaco, and the firm says it is a specialist in "reputation challenges."

It has worked with clients on issues such as medical device recalls, class action lawsuits and anti-trust litigation.

Fox 29 is in State College and we are attempting to get a comment from Paterno.

Paterno has been the head coach at Penn State since 1966.

He is currently under fire for his role in a wide-ranging scandal involving former defensive coach Jerry Sandusky.