Mitchell to release annual Penn State report Monday

The second annual report from former Sen. George Mitchell describing Penn State's progress in complying with provisions of the consent decree agreed to in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal is scheduled to be released Monday.

A spokesman at Mitchell's law firm, DLA Piper of New York, confirmed the timing of the report.

Mitchell, who was named Penn State's athletics integrity monitor after the NCAA sanctions were handed down in July 2012, issued his first annual report last September. His recommendations prompted the NCAA to restore 10 scholarships for this season and 15 for next year from the 65 provided for in the original sanctions.

Penn State will be up to the maximum of 85 scholarships by 2016. The Nittany Lions will be allowed the full single-season number of 25 scholarships for the Class of 2015, up 10 from the original sanctions.

Mitchell may make recommendations this year, but the NCAA executive committee will issue the final decision on whether sanctions will be revised. Last year, the NCAA released its ruling about three weeks after getting Mitchell's report.

Donald Remy, NCAA chief legal officer, said last week that no decisions would be made until the report was reviewed, calling "irresponsible" a published report in the Sporting News that the postseason ban would be lifted next season.

"We will not know what recommendations [Mitchell] will make, if any at all," Remy said in a statement. "Also, it is important to note that any decision on the Penn State sanctions would be made by the NCAA executive committee, comprised of representatives of the membership."

Mitchell has been releasing quarterly reports since he was named athletics integrity monitor. His latest report, on May 30, said the university continued to improve its compliance program in relation to the Clery Act and to enhance security at recreational and athletic facilities.