SNYDER: When coaches become deities

There’s no getting around the affection that students and fans develop for famed coaches. But universities should do a better job in teaching everyone to keep intercollegiate sports in perspective.

I know it’s hard, seeing how the universities aren’t exactly acing the test. There’s a lot of lip service given to the ideal, but then they play musical conferences, pour more millions into athletic facilities and pimp their student-athletes for merchandise revenue.

Gee eventually fired Tressel. But former Penn State president Graham Spanier was more intent on covering up dirt than turning it over. Paterno and the football program were stained in the end, anyway, but the damage was a lot more severe - in more ways than one.

There’s a lesson in there for students and fans who protested Paterno’s firing.

And for college administrators who might face similar decisions on a celebrated coach.

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