Here's a statement that's just been released from Sue Paterno, the widow of coaching legend Joe Paterno and still the grand dame of Penn State football:

Sue Paterno has issued a welcome to James Franklin and his family.

"On behalf of myself and my family I want to welcome Coach James Franklin and his wife Fumi to Penn State.

"His deep ties to Pennsylvania and his exceptional coaching record have prepared him well for his new position.

"We wish Coach Franklin great success and we know he will find broad support and encouragement from Penn Staters everywhere."

Franklin could certainly get by without it, but at Penn State a gesture like this from the Paterno family can be taken as a nice signal to a sometime-divided Nittany Nation that it's time to get behind the new regime.

Sue Paterno's statement followed a Tweet of support from the coach's son, Scott, earlier Saturday, that read: "Welcome to Penn State, coach. You are in a special place."