They were some of the largest penalties ever imposed on a college football program. Now, the NCAA is reportedly considering scaling them back even more.
A report in ThePhiladelphia Inquirer says the NCAA is considering rolling back or revising penalties imposed on Penn State University. Among the changes being considered — restoring 111 vacated wins to Joe Paterno.
The once winningest coach in college football history was stripped of about a fourth of his wins from a 14-year span of his career in 2012.
That came after child sex abuse charges were brought against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky was charged in November 2011. (Video via ABC)
Days later, Paterno, who was not charged with a crime, was fired by Penn State for allegedly turning a blind eye to the abuse. He died weeks later from lung cancer.
Originally, the NCAA fined the school $60 million, banned the team from postseason play for four years, reduced scholarships, vacated JoePa's wins dating back to 1998 and placed the school on probation.
The NCAA has reduced parts of the sentence throughout the years, though — giving back scholarships in 2013 and allowing the Nittany Lions to return to postseason play in 2014.
The NCAA has cited massive improvements made by the school as reasoning for the scaled back punishments. Not everyone is a fan of an easier sentence, though.
After the bowl ban was lifted in 2014, a USA Today writer said, "By reducing the sanctions, the NCAA went back on the statement that it made — not only to the fans of Penn State and college football, but to the victims the university failed to protect."
Paterno officially holds 298 wins but would return to 409 wins if the NCAA goes through with restoring them.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
