Penn State President Rodney Erickson Says School Made Concessions to Avoid Death Penalty

"“We had our backs to the wall on this. We did what we thought was necessary to save the program.” Joined by board of trustees chairwoman Karen Peetz and interim director of athletics David Joyner, Erickson said he signed the NCAA agreement because no better deal was available. He said Penn State could have faced at least one year without football and still would have endured additional penalties."

Not to mention that fighting the NCAA’s penalties would have been a terrible PR look for the school.

Penn State President Erickson on NCAA sanctions: ‘We had our backs to the wall on this’ [Centre Daily]

Previously: Mark Emmert Brought Down Penn State, But Left Disturbing Precedent for NCAA