Because Paterno is an absolute god at Penn. He is by far the most powerful person at Penn, and answers to nobody. Not the school president, not the trustees, not the athletic director,,,nobody. The same can be said of all big name football coaches at successful big time football programs. They answer to nobody. While I don't disagree, you might be more convincing if you use the correct term Penn State.
Penn is the name for the University of Pennsylvania in Philly.
Cheers.