The NCAA is the locomotive. They are the only entity that can inflict any kind of meaningful punishment, and ultimately facilitate the demise of the football god culture at PSU that led to this horrible coverup.
The coverup of Sandusky's action was done for one reason, and that was to preserve the football (sports) program at PSU. The only way to properly punish PSU and change the culture there is to take away their football god. Take away the god and its support structure will crumble.
Any punishments that the criminal justice system can give to PSU will be ultimately inconsequential to PSU. All those entities can really do is prosecute individuals involved in the crimes. That won't change anything at PSU. The civil courts might be able to take PSU's money. That might slow down PSU, but it won't change anything.
As far making meaningful change at PSU, that's up to the NCAA. If the NCAA wants to give the death penalty to PSU FB, they can do it. If PSU doesn't like it they can challenge it in civil court. I wish PSU good luck with that.
^^^THIS^^^