The students, less the seniors who are on the football team deserve an open transfer. The football program is indirectly responsible, via Paterno, his minions, etc. for the current mess.
Like it or not, the current football team, (the entire current program) falls under collateral damage. They carry the brand, innocent and all and that is not a stigma that they can overcome, no matter what good intentions. Call it bad luck, whatever but a new start must be made. There is nothing that the current team can do, say or think that will change the perception. Hard, but there you are.
We can agree to disagree. Most fair minded people recognize these students aren't to blame and a clean start at the top is being made. No way reasonable people think the kids on the field are responsible for what a decade ago retired coach did.