State College, PA

A new era in football is being ushered in at Penn State although no one ever expected it to be under such sad and disappointing circumstances.

With the program and university reeling from a child sex-abuse scandal that eventually ended the careers of coach Joe Paterno, athletic director Tim Curley and president Graham Spanier, Tom Bradley is the new coach who has to pick up the pieces.

Penn State's defensive coordinator, Bradley is the Penn State's first coach other than Paterno in almost half a century.

Bradley took over the program Wednesday night as he was appointed interim head coach after Penn State's board of trustees fired Paterno in the wake of a child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

"We're obviously in a very unprecedented situation," Bradley said. "I have to find a way to restore the confidence. It's with very mixed emotions and heavy hearts that we go through this."

Bradley, 55, called Paterno late last night but did not discuss what they talked about.

"I think that's personal in nature," Bradley said.

What Bradley did say though it that he still has an immense amount of respect for major college football's all-time winningest coach.

"Coach Paterno has meant more to me than anybody except my father," Bradley said.

Now Bradley has to try and get the 8-1 Nittany Lions ready for a visit from Nebraska Saturday. Penn State still has a lot to play for on the field, but it remains to be seen how they will respond.

Bradley met with the team early Thursday morning and spoke for about 10 minutes and then the captains led a players-only meeting for about five minutes.

Copyright © 2011 AHN -- All Rights Reserved