Disgraced Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky was resentenced to 30 to 60 years behind bars on Friday for sexually abusing 10 young boys.

The 75-year-old was convicted in 2012 of abusing the boys he taught. He was sentenced at the time to 30 years imprisonment which was a mandatory minimum.

In February this year, the sentence was overturned by Pennsylvania's Superior Court citing Supreme Court case law which said it was unfair for the mandatory minimum to be imposed.

The resentencing opened up the possibility that he might be given a lesser term and Sandusky, who has been fighting for a retrial and claims he is innocent, was hopeful.

He answered 'absolutely' when asked if he still denied the charges as he entered the courthouse on Friday in a mustard prison jumpsuit, clutching a folder of legal papers.

However Judge Maureen Skerda upheld the original term.

Jerry Sandusky arrives at court in Pennsylvania on Friday to be re-sentenced. He was given the same term

Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse in 2012 and sentenced to 30 to 60 years.

Prosecutors found that over a period of 15 years between 1994 to 2009, he raped and molested dozens of boys while hiding behind a charity he had founded for at-risk youth as an excuse to hone in on vulnerable boys.

The case was among the first prominent examples of people in positions of power being brought down for sexually abusing young, vulnerable people around them.

Eight young men testified during the 2012 trial that Sandusky subjected them to a range of abuse, from grooming to violent attacks.

Sandusky has maintained his innocence, and his lawyers in October initiated a federal court action seeking a new trial or release from prison.

Sandusky was in high spirits as he made his way into the courtroom but he cried once inside as he pleaded his case

The elderly inmate was escorted into the courthouse by a number of armed officers

Sandusky's ever-faithful wife Dottie, who believes he is innocent, also attended the hearing

His November 2011 arrest prompted the firing of Hall of Fame head coach Joe Paterno and the ousting of then-university President Graham Spanier.

The university has subsequently paid more than $100 million to people who said they had been abused by Sandusky.

After the decision on Friday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said: 'Today with Jerry Sandusky’s re-sentencing, justice was again achieved for his victims and they can close this chapter knowing that this predator will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

'My office is dedicated to protecting children in Pennsylvania and holding those who hurt them accountable, no matter how powerful or connected.'

In light of Friday's decision, he still has another 23 years in prison at least before he is even legible for parole.

In June this year, authorities said they were investigating another alleged crime of his.

He is still trying to fight his convictions. He asked for a new trial earlier this year but the request was denied.