Dave Joyner became the acting athletic director at Penn State when the Nittany Lions were at their lowest point, a proud university rocked by a scandal that put the department in turmoil.

With a sense of duty to his alma mater, Joyner held the reins through 2 1/2 turbulent years, hiring two football coaches that kept the program afloat in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and Joe Paterno’s death.

Now Joyner’s set to let someone else call the shots, and will resign Aug. 1.

“I didn’t enjoy the circumstances that brought me here. You never forget to be reverent and respectful of the ones there hurt,” Joyner said by phone Tuesday night. “But I have enjoyed the camaraderie, I have enjoyed the honor of working with the great people here.

“It was a privilege for sad reasons, but it was a privilege.”

Joyner was appointed acting athletic director in November 2011 after Tim Curley was placed on administrative leave. The interim tag removed in January 2013, and Joyner will assist the department in the transition to the new AD.