Penn State interim football coach Tom Bradley held a press conference Thursday, addressing the Sandusky sex abuse scandal and the future of Penn State football. Bradley said he found out Paterno was fired and that he would be named interim coach effective immediately at around 9:45 EST Wednesday night. Penn State president Graham Spanier was also fired in the wake of the sex abuse scandal.
Tom Bradley told reporters Thursday morning it was with “a heavy heart and great emotion” that he accepted his new position with Littany Lions. Bradley said he was notified of his promotion by phone, and a reporter mentioned that veteran Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was fired by phone. The reporter asked Bradley if he felt the way Paterno was terminated was appropriate given his position and seniority, but Bradley declined to offer much insight into his own opinion. “That’s not for me to say,” the interim coach stated, going on to say the Board of Trustees had made their decision on how to handle things.
Joe Paterno Fired, Tom Bradley Named Penn State Interim Coach
Tom Bradley told reporters he spoke Joe Paterno by phone late Wednesday night, but wouldn’t get specific. Bradley didn’t say how long their private call lasted, or what was discussed. On the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse allegations and Bradley’s relationship to Sandusky through Penn State football, Bradley was equally short in his answers. A reporter asked the new interim about the capacity in which he personally knew Sandusky, and Bradley explained simply, “Jerry was a defensive coordinator when I was here, and I worked underneath him.”
When questioned about the Sandusky sex abuse allegations themselves, Bradley was even less willing to speak. “Due to the ongoing investigation, I’m not going to say anything about that matter.” Bradley was willing to share his feelings on the alleged victims, though, telling reporters he “grieves” for them and their families.
In terms of the Littany Lions’ upcoming Saturday game, it seemed like very little is set in stone. Bradley has yet to decide who he will play as starting quarterback, and the team needs these next two days to come together and re-build morale, as well as practice game plays.
In terms of the riots that took place at Penn State Wed. night after Joe Paterno was fired, Bradley was asked if he was concerned about the safety and atmosphere at the game Sat. He replied, “I understand there was some activity last night. No, I do not worry about [anyone’s] safety at Saturday’s game.”
On the situation as a whole, Bradley commented, “We’re obviously in a very unprecedented situation. We have to find a way to restore the confidence and begin a healing process.”
Source:
Tom Bradley press conference – televised live on CNN – November 10, 2011