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Jerry Sandusky

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Jerry Sandusky
Biographical details
Born (1944-01-26) January 26, 1944 (age 80)
Washington, Pennsylvania
Playing career
Position(s)Defensive end

Gerald Arthur "Jerry" Sandusky (born January 26, 1944)[1] is a retired American football coach. He served as an assistant coach for his entire career, mostly at Pennsylvania State University under Joe Paterno, and was one of the most notable major college football coaches to never have held a head coaching position. He received Assistant Coach of the Year awards in 1986 and 1999.[2]

In November 2011, Sandusky was arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys over a 15-year period.[3]

Early life and football career

Sandusky was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, the son of Evelyn Mae (née Lee) and Arthur Sandusky. His paternal grandparents were Polish immigrants and his mother came from a small coal-mining town.[4] Sandusky played for Paterno at Penn State, starting at defensive end from 1963 to 1965. After graduating first in his class with a B.S. in health and physical education,[5] Sandusky served as a graduate assistant under Paterno at Penn State in 1966, and then held assistant coaching positions at Juniata College (1967) and Boston University (1968). He returned to Penn State in 1969 and remained there as an assistant coach until his retirement at the end of the 1999 season. Sandusky served as defensive line coach in 1969, became linebacker coach in 1970, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1977, holding that position until his retirement. In his years as a linebacker coach and defensive coordinator he coached many outstanding defensive squads, and Penn State gained a reputation for outstanding linebacker play, producing 10 first-team All-Americans at that position, and acquiring the nickname "Linebacker U".

Sandusky spurned opportunities for head coaching positions, including one with the University of Maryland in 1991,[6] in the (unfulfilled) hope of succeeding Paterno as head coach at Penn State.

His final game coaching at Penn State was a notable game for Sandusky. Penn State faced Texas A&M in the 1999 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Inspired to honor Sandusky, the defense produced an outstanding effort and the Nittany Lions shut out Texas A&M, 24–0, the only bowl game shutout victory for Penn State under Paterno. Sandusky was recognized in ways usually reserved for the head coach. He was doused with a water bucket and carried to the center of the field on the shoulders of his players.[7]

After retirement, Sandusky hosted many summer football camps and was active in The Second Mile, a children's charity he founded in State College, Pennsylvania in 1977.[8] Citing Sandusky's work with The Second Mile charity to provide care for foster children, then U.S. Senator Rick Santorum honored Sandusky with a “Congressional Angels in Adoption” award in 2002.[9]

Sandusky wrote an autobiography titled Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story (ISBN 9781582612706), which was published in 2001.[10] The book includes a quote from ex-Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil about Sandusky: "He could very well be the Will Rogers of the coaching profession."[11] Other books by Sandusky include:

  • Developing linebackers the Penn State way, Leisure Press, 1981. ISBN 9780918438645
  • with Cedric X. Bryant. Coaching linebackers, Coaches Choice Books, 1995. ISBN 9781571670595
  • with Cedric X. Bryant. 101 linebacker drills, Coaches Choice Books, 1997. ISBN 9781571670878

Sexual assault charges

Main article: Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal

On November 4, 2011, a grand jury [12]indicted Sandusky on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys. The indictment came after a three-year investigation launched by Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly probing allegations that he had inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy over the course of four years, beginning when the boy was ten years old. The boy's parents reported the incident to police in 2009.[13] A grand jury identified eight boys singled out for sexual advances or sexual assaults by Sandusky from 1994 through 2009.[14] At least 20 of the incidents allegedly took place while Sandusky was still employed at Penn State.[15]

On November 5, 2011, Sandusky was arrested and charged with seven counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; eight counts of corruption of minors, eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, seven counts of indecent assault and other offenses.[16] Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president for finance and business Gary Schultz (who oversaw the Penn State police department) were charged with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse by Sandusky.[17][18]

According to the indictment, in 2002 assistant coach Mike McQueary, then a Penn State graduate assistant,[19] walked in on Sandusky subjecting a ten-year-old boy to anal penetration. The next day, he reported the incident to Paterno, who informed Curley. Ultimately, it is alleged, the only action Curley and Schultz took was to order Sandusky not to bring any children from Second Mile to the football building, an action that was approved by school president Graham Spanier.[citation needed] The indictment accused Curley and Schultz not only of failing to tell the police, but also of falsely telling the grand jury that McQueary never informed them of sexual activity.[20]

Sandusky is currently free on $100,000 bail pending trial. He could face life in prison if convicted of the charges.[21] Inside Edition reports that Sandusky's home is very close to an elementary school.[22]

On November 6, 2011, Penn State banned Sandusky from campus.[23]

Penn State has been the subject of significant media criticism for allegations that several members of its staff, from the University President down to a graduate assistant, covered up Sandusky's alleged assaults.[24] Maureen Dowd wrote of the scandal, "Like the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Penn State hierarchy appears to have covered up pedophile crimes to protect its brand."[24]

Family

Sandusky is married and has six adopted children.[25] He also took in foster children,[5] and his house is next to an elementary school and playground.[26]

One son, Jon Sandusky, serves as Director of Player Personnel for the Cleveland Browns.[27][28] Another son, E.J. Sandusky, is an assistant football coach at West Chester University.[29]

References

  1. ^ Hyman, J., 2006, Game of My Life Penn State: Memorable Stories of Nittany Lion Football, Sports Publishing
  2. ^ "Sandusky Awarded Assistant Coach of the Year ::". Gopsusports.cstv.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  3. ^ Viera, Mark (2011-11-05). "Former Coach at Penn State Is Charged With Abuse". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ a b A Reputation Lies in Tatters {New York Times, November 7, 2011)
  6. ^ Berkowitz, S. (1991-12-18). Laycock, Maryland Will Meet; Sandusky Bows Out As Coach Candidate. Washington Post
  7. ^ Football Letter: Alamo Bowl[dead link]
  8. ^ "Scout.com: Sandusky Second to None". Pennstate.scout.com. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  9. ^ Santorum honored accused PSU Coach as "angel" (Philadelphia Inquirer, November 9, 2011)
  10. ^ Accused ex-coach wrote a book titled ‘Touched’ (Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 7, 2011)
  11. ^ Jerry Sandusky's book titled 'Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story' (Los Angeles Times, November 7, 2011)
  12. ^ {{cite web}}: Empty citation (help)
  13. ^ "Jerry Sandusky, a Penn State University football legend and founder of The Second Mile, faces charges of sex crimes". Pennlive.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  14. ^ Former Coach at Penn State Is Charged With Abuse. New York Times 11/05/2011.
  15. ^ Juliano, Joe. Two Penn State officials charged in connection with sex-abuse investigation. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2011-11-06.
  16. ^ "Penn State ex-coach charged with abuse, AD with perjury (Associated Press, November 5, 2011)". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  17. ^ "Penn State AD charged with perjury, failure to report in Sandusky sex case (MSNBC)". Collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  18. ^ By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press. "Penn St Ex-Coach, Others Charged in Child Sex Case (ABC News)". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  19. ^ Report: Former coach Jerry Sandusky used charity to molest kids (Harrisburg Patriot-News, November 6, 2011)
  20. ^ Wetzel, Dan. Penn State’s insufficient action amid child sex allegations stunning Yahoo! Sports, 2011-11-05
  21. ^ "Former Penn State coaching legend Jerry Sandusky could face life in prison if convicted on charges of sex abuse against boys (Patriot-News)". Pennlive.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  22. ^ More Details Emerge on Jerry Sandusky. Inside Edition, 2011-11-11.
  23. ^ Penn State to pay AD's legal costs. ESPN, 2011-11-06.
  24. ^ a b Maureen Dowd (November 9, 2011). "Personal Foul at Penn State". New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  25. ^ Sandusky case: Officials seek alleged victims (CBS/AP)
  26. ^ Sandusky's House, Next to Playground, Vandalized (NBC, Nov 11, 2011)
  27. ^ "Philadelphiaeagles.com". Philadelphiaeagles.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  28. ^ "Former Nittany Lion Sandusky Named Cleveland Browns' Director of Player Personnel". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  29. ^ "2011 Football Coaching Staff". www.wcupagoldenrams.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.

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