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| Mike McQueary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mike McQueary |
| Birth date | 1975 |
| Birth place | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | American football coach, former player, high school teacher |
| Alma mater | Penn State University |
| Years active | 1998–present |
Mike McQueary
Michael J. McQueary is an American former collegiate football player and assistant coach who became a central witness in the 2011 criminal investigation involving former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. McQueary's role as a witness, his subsequent administrative leave, and later legal and employment developments drew national attention involving media outlets such as ESPN, legal authorities like the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and institutions including Penn State University and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His career intersects with figures and entities such as Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tom Bradley, Bill O'Brien, and organizations like the NCAA.
McQueary was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and attended local schools before matriculating at Penn State University, where he played quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions under head coach Joe Paterno during the mid-1990s. As a student-athlete he competed in the Big Ten Conference and participated in contests that included matchups with programs such as the Ohio State and the Michigan Wolverines. His teammates and contemporaries included players like Wally Richardson, Kerry Collins, and coaches from the Paterno staff including Tom Bradley and Gerry DiNardo. McQueary completed his undergraduate degree at Penn State and transitioned into coaching and staff roles within the university athletic department, remaining connected to the program that had produced alumni such as Franco Harris, LaVar Arrington, and Lavar Arrington.
Following his playing career, McQueary was hired onto the Penn State coaching staff, serving as a graduate assistant and later as a wide receivers and quarterbacks assistant working with the Nittany Lions under the leadership of Joe Paterno. During his tenure he worked alongside coordinators and position coaches including Jerry Sandusky, Fran Ganter, and Jay Paterno. McQueary's responsibilities involved on-field coaching, recruiting activities subject to NCAA rules, and day-to-day operations in facilities such as Beaver Stadium and the Nittany Lion Inn training sites. Over time he rose to a prominent support role, interacting with university administrators including Graham Spanier and athletic department personnel such as Tim Curley and Gary Schultz. His presence on staff placed him in proximity to events involving staffers from programs like Rutgers and Michigan State during recruiting seasons.
McQueary became a focus of national attention when he reported an April 2002 incident at a Penn State athletic facility involving Jerry Sandusky to university officials. The report led to investigation and criminal proceedings initiated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Centre County District Attorney; the case evolved into high-profile trials and media coverage by outlets such as The New York Times, CBS News, and NBC News. McQueary provided testimony before a grand jury convened by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and later testified at the criminal trial of Sandusky in 2012. His testimony referenced interactions with figures such as Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tim Curley, and Gary Schultz, and his statements were discussed in investigations by the Freeh Report and commentary by legal scholars and journalists. The testimony, and subsequent public disclosures, prompted debate involving commentators like Bob Costas, legal analysts including Alan Dershowitz, and athlete advocates such as Anquan Boldin.
Following the scandal and administrative responses by Penn State, McQueary pursued legal action seeking reinstatement and damages, which intersected with litigants and counsel from firms involved in employment and civil rights litigation. He filed suit against The Pennsylvania State University alleging breach of contract and other claims, leading to settlement negotiations involving university representatives, outside counsel, and federal judicial oversight from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Separately, McQueary was involved in civil litigation brought by parties alleging complicity or negligence tied to the Sandusky matter; these proceedings included claims and counterclaims where the roles of administrators such as Graham Spanier and Tim Curley were examined. Ultimately McQueary reached a financial settlement with Penn State, a resolution that paralleled other settlements the university reached with figures implicated in the wider scandal and with victims represented by advocacy organizations and firms known for civil litigation in high-profile cases.
After leaving Penn State, McQueary pursued opportunities outside Division I college football, accepting positions in high school athletics and in private sector roles that included coaching and teaching in communities across Pennsylvania. His post-Penn State profile involved speaking engagements, interviews with sports media including ESPN and regional newspapers like the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and interactions with former colleagues from programs such as Ohio State and Notre Dame who commented on institutional responses to abuse allegations. McQueary also engaged with legal processes and public discussions about institutional accountability, victim advocacy groups, and reforms promoted by organizations like the NCAA and state legislatures. His later public life has intersected with cultural conversations about whistleblowing, the responsibilities of athletic staff, and the governance of collegiate athletics institutions such as Penn State University.
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football coaches Category:1975 births Category:Living people