[fortheDeclaration]

Yes, Paterno could have been fired, but no one was going to do so.

Paterno knew what was going on and chose to ignore it, getting the most wins was more important.

[WPaCon]

Yes, Paterno could have been fired, but no one was going to do so.

So there were more powerful people than him. They just decided not to exercise their power.

Paterno knew what was going on and chose to ignore it, getting the most wins was more important.

We don't know whether that is true or not.