Joyner to stay on as acting Penn State AD

Erickson said in response to a question Wednesday at a Penn State student forum that Dave Joyner was doing an excellent job at athletics. The football team, under the direction of first-year coach Bill O'Brien, is 1-2 and will meet Temple on Saturday.

Erickson has said he plans to step down when his contract expires in June 2014. The search for his replacement will begin in November.

It was appropriate, Erickson said, for his successor to decide whether to go in another direction with athletics.

Joyner replaced Tim Curley last November after Curley was charged with perjury and failure to report a crime in connection with a sexual abuse allegation against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Curley, who faces trial in January, has denied the charges. He is on administrative leave.

"Dr. Joyner has provided excellent leadership for our programs" and monitoring athletic integrity programs, Erickson said at the forum. "I want to have continuity there."