So apparently the sons and daughters of old Penn State have their letter sweaters in a twist because the alma mater went outside the family for a football coach, tabbing Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

Couple of things about that:

1. They're kidding, right? They really thought that, given the circumstances, Penn State wasn't going to make a clean break from the Joe Paterno regime?

Look, the Jerry Sandusky scandal is going to stain the program, and hamper recruiting, plenty long enough without any lingering reminders roaming the sideline. This was the right thing to do. It was, in fact, the only thing to do.

2. Alumni disaffection isn't exactly a hardy perennial, anyway. If O'Brien goes out and wins 10 or 11 games next season, the sons and daughters of old Penn State will be funding statues of the man all over State College. And JoePa will just be the guy who coached before Billy O.