(Image Source: The Patriot-News)

BY MOLLY HULSEY

Yesterday, a canceled press conference, today a personal statement to the press. The latest chapter in the Penn State saga has Joe Paterno saying he plans to resign at the end of the season. From The Boston Globe...

“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... 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.”

Paterno’s retirement comes amidst student protests to keep him at the university. Students rallied on campus and outside Paterno’s house last night to show their support for the 84-year-old head coach.

CROWD: “Joe Paterno, Joe Paterno...” (chanting)

PATERNO: “It’s hard for me to tell you how much this means to me. I’ve lived for this place, I’ve lived for people like you guys and girls, and I’m just so happy to see that you feel so strongly about us and about your school.”

PATERNO: “Who are we?”

CROWD: “Penn State!”

Paterno issued his statement independently, and it is not posted on the school’s website. Penn State officials could still decide to fire him before season’s end. Sportswriters across Twitter had rapid reactions to the situation Wednesday morning - and they weren’t sympathetic.

From Pat Forde: “Sensing a massive disconnect between the feelings of Penn State students and fans here vs. the rest of the nation when it comes to Paterno.”

From Darren Rovell: “I still don’t see how Paterno coaches another game. Not sure he can go out on his terms.”

And from Jason Whitlock: “JoePa wants a victory lap on Saturday. He’s trying 2 stop the Board of Trustees from firing his butt. Read his entire statement. It’s a joke.”

But the support of Penn State students appears unwavering, and a writer at the Seattle Times says - that’s not a good thing.

“The people now cheering Paterno like a rock star are an embarrassment. Those cheering students are the future of this country. They may turn out to be in a minority, but they're still attending a highly-regarded academic institution... and they just failed their biggest test yet. But no, it's not a surprise. Just look at their role models.”

But Paterno has coached the Nittany Lions far longer than the students cheering him on have been alive - and a writer at ESPN says their support of his legacy makes sense.

“The reason football is so big at Penn State -- heck, most of the reason Penn State is so big -- traces directly to Paterno. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that so many students would remain unwavering in their loyalty in the midst of such a devastating scandal.”

The Paterno family has announced that all press inquiries will now be handled by PR strategist Dan McGinn, whose company, TMG Strategies, also represents Coke, GM, IBM and 3M.