Penn State’s Mike McQueary put on administrative leave

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Penn State assistant football coach Mike McQueary, who as a graduate student in 2002 allegedly witnessed former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky assault a 10-year-old boy in a school shower, has been placed on an indefinite administrative leave.

School president Rodney Erickson made the announcement Friday, a day after the university said that McQueary would not coach Saturday because of threats to his safety.

‘It became clear that coach McQueary could not function in this role under these circumstances,’ Erickson said.

After witnessing the incident nine years ago, McQueary told then-coach Joe Paterno. According to an ESPN source, Paterno remembers McQueary mentioning seeing ‘fondling’ or ‘horsing around’ but does not recall him detailing ‘sodomy’ or ‘rape.’

Paterno, acting in accordance with the law, told his superiors about the allegations but never went to the police. After the sordid details of the scandal became public this week, many were outraged that Paterno didn’t go directly to law enforcement officials.

Paterno said he would retire at the end of the season but, on Wednesday, the school’s Board of Trustees fired the legendary coach, who was in his 64th season at Penn State.

McQueary has also recently faced intense scrutiny for his inaction. He’s been criticised for not having stopped the assault, called the police or questioned why Sandusky was never charged.

MORE:

Paterno fired: Tom Bradley news conference highlights

Full coverage: Child sex abuse scandal rocks Penn State

Ashton Kutcher says he fumbled tweet after Paterno fired

-- Melissa Rohlin