VBR has not actively covered the scandal or the many legal issues surrounding it.  There are plenty of other PSU sites that have done an outstanding job of that, and will continue to with this latest development.  In fact, we have largely stayed away from even mentioning it for a number of reasons.  But this is just a little too ridiculous to not at least share some thoughts on.

Tom Corbett may not be public enemy number 1 with PSU fans, but he’s certainly near the top of the list for his involvement on many levels of the Sandusky investigation and the fall out at Dear Old State.  He took a central role in the drama in the hours following the announcement of charges against Sandusky, Curley and Schultz, and ultimately the dismissal of Joe Paterno.  In fact, after the announcement of the very sanctions he is now suing to have vacated (pun totally intended), he was quoted as saying “part of that corrective process is to accept the serious penalties imposed today by the NCAA on Penn State and its football program.”

Taking out the man at the front of the lawsuit, it would be admirable on a lot of levels to see someone in a public position of authority at the very least calling out the NCAA on some of the ridiculous statements and accusations made against Penn State.  But I can’t separate the actions from the man completely.  Tom Corbett is a man who at every possible opportunity has acted in way that would suggest he is more concerned about public perception (and votes) than the proper thing.  Just five and a half months ago, as a voting member of the PSU Board of Trustees, Corbett acknowledged the sanctions were justified.  Wednesday he said he wanted because he did not want to distract from the extraordinary season and the young men who chose to stay at Penn State.  At times during his brief press conference, he appeared to be reading the various talking points found on blogs and message boards.

It’s hard to really see what the end game is here for the Governor.  I’m not a lawyer (which is shocking, given I write for a PSU blog), but it’s hard to imagine this being resolved in a manner timely enough to have any real impact.  Is his only goal to pander to the sizeable Penn State voting bloc come November 2014 when he is up for reelection? Is this a power play to get more control over the $60 million fine the State Legislature has been actively challenging for some time? Does he just want to give us the great theater of seeing two of the most despised men among PSU fans wage a public relations war?

Like everything to go on in Happy Valley these past 14 months, time will certainly tell. In the interim, I suggest familiarizing yourself with coping mechanisms from last year.  This is not going away soon.

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It will be interesting to see where this goes, if for no other reason than public enemies #1, and 1A for a number of Penn State fans and supporters, Corbett and NCAA President Mark Emmert, will become the faces of this new round of fallout from the Sandusky Scandal.  The NCAA has yet to comment, and Corbett’s office has only said they will address the “illegal sanctions”.

All of this comes at a unique time for Penn State, as they attempt to build off the positive momentum from this past season.  Not only will any legal action bring the University back into media spotlight, despite their lack of direct involvement in the suit, but this also comes as rumors swirl about the future of Bill O’Brien.  Numerous reports have O’Brien as a candidate for several of the 7 current NFL openings, although there has yet to be any indication O’Brien has interviewed, or intends to.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear for the latest Penn State news