STATE COLLEGE — The final tie between Penn State football and the Paterno family has been severed.

Quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno announced he was leaving the program after spending 17 years as an assistant under his father, Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. His departure was expected after the school last week named New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien to succeed JoePa as Nittany Lions head coach.

Joe Paterno was fired Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

“I wish the program the best of luck in carrying on the academic and athletic excellence that have been a hallmark of this university for decades,” Jay Paterno said in a statement.

Jay Paterno said he and O’Brien spoke this week and the two “reached the conclusion” he would not be part of the new staff. He planned to take the next few weeks to consult his wife and family about options both inside and outside of football.

Helping his father and mother, Sue, deal with Joe Paterno’s treatments for lung cancer was also a priority. Joe Paterno’s spirits “are good and he continues to fight on,” Jay Paterno said in a phone interview Tuesday while cleaning out his office.

Meantime, he said “it will take some time think about what to do next.”

While both Paternos are now gone from the staff, O’Brien at his introductory news conference Saturday signaled he would embrace the traditions of a program that JoePa turned into one of college football’s marquee names.

O’Brien, who has no previous Penn State ties, is back in New England to finish up his duties through the NFL postseason. The Patriots host the Broncos in the AFC divisional round this weekend, though O’Brien indicated he would like to name his the bulk of his Penn State staff this week.

“There will never be enough words to say what (Joe Paterno) did for this program as far as wins, as far as off the field graduating kids, graduating student-athletes every single year,” O’Brien said Saturday. “I can’t wait to meet him, and I look forward to that as soon as I can get that done.”

Jay Paterno also worked at Virginia, Connecticut and FCS school James Madison. He said he was privileged to have tutored players at his four coaching stops.