PSU: Paterno's firing over 'failure of leadership' updated 9:15 a.m. ET March 12, 2012 (AP) - Penn State's trustees say late coach Joe Paterno's failure to follow up on a sexual abuse allegation against former assistant Jerry Sandusky "constituted a failure of leadership" that ultimately led to his firing in November. A report issued Monday by the trustees says the board ultimately decided to fire Paterno after learning the details of his testimony before a grand jury when charges were filed against Sandusky. The report also says the board decided to fire Paterno by phone because his home was surrounded by media and they deemed there was no "dignified, private and secure way" for trustees to meet with him in person. Paterno died of lung cancer in January.