Students and State College, Pa., community members fill the streets after Penn State's Board of Trustees announced the firing of head football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno and school president Graham Spanier lost their jobs amid allegations of sexual abuse against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

State College, Pa., officers attempt to disperse a crowd that banded together Wednesday night after Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was fired.

Penn State students flip a television news van after the school's Board of Trustees announced Wednesday night it was firing head football coach Joe Paterno.

Some Penn State students and other State College community members expressed their displeasure after the firing of head football coach Joe Paterno.

Penn State fans John Ventura and Kurt Bevilacqua react to the firing of coach Joe Paterno while standing vigil in front of Paterno's house.

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, left, and his wife, Susan, stand on their porch to thank supporters gathered outside their home after John Surma, vice chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees, announced the firing of Paterno.

Students and other State College community members fill the streets, many voicing their displeasure at the firing of Penn State head coach Joe Paterno.

Police try to control students and others as they fill the streets after Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno was fired Wednesday.

Students and others in the State College, Pa., community visit the Joe Paterno statue on the Penn State campus in the wake of the coach's firing.

Students take to the streets after the Penn State Board of Trustees fired football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier on Wednesday night.

Amid the growing furor over how Penn State handled allegations of sex abuse against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, some students and other State College community members show support for the alleged victims.

Late Wednesday evening, the Penn State Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting to discuss the futures of football coach Joe Paterno and president Graham Spanier. Led by board vice chairman John Surma, center, the board ended the meeting with a stunning announcement.

Board chairman Steve Garban (left) and vice chairman John Surma announce that Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and president Graham Spanier have been fired, effectively immediately.

Penn State students rally together on the Penn State campus, sharing messages that concur with the trustees' decision.

Not all Penn State students have unwavering support for the football program. As these signs show, feelings of anger, shame and outrage are coursing through the veins of State College, Pa.

Penn State students on campus protest the handling of the sex-abuse allegations against a former assistant coach.

More evidence that visible unhappiness among students about the Penn State football sex-abuse scandal is growing.

Penn State students and others gather off campus, one holding a cutout of football coach Joe Paterno, after the firing of Paterno and university president Graham Spanier.