The first instinct of a college athletic department or a professional organization when scandal hits?

Get to the truth? Uh, no.

Protect the program? Um, yes.

There are multiple reasons for this: embarrassment, money, job security, money, misplaced loyalty, money. I'm sure they are others (have I mentioned money?).

The desire to protect the program — by lying, denying, stonewalling, ignoring or, in some cases, intimidating accusers — must sometimes work.

On the other hand:

Penn State football, long lauded as a shining example of winning with integrity, is now synonymous with pedophilia and deceit. And will be for years to come.

Ohio State football, which prided itself on its (relatively) clean image, now is seen as just another dirty program that desperately tried to ignore or downplay its blemishes, only to grudgingly and belatedly admit the truth.

Syracuse basketball, which enjoyed a good reputation under longtime coach Jim Boeheim, is facing lawsuits and close scrutiny not only for possible child sexual abuse by Boeheim assistant Bernie Fine, but for its unwillingness — until forced — to take the allegations seriously.

On the pro level, the New York Knicks a few years back did nothing — actually much worse than nothing — when a female employee complained of sexual harassment against then-coach Isiah Thomas, and ended up paying $11.6 million in damages.

Another NBA club, Golden State, now is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit involving star guard Monta Ellis. While the suit is yet to go to trial, the allegations, if true, would indicate the Warriors followed the usual pattern: Ignore, then punish the accuser and protect the star, which is synonymous with, yes, protect the program.

For decades in its handling of concussion, the NFL had a protect-the-program mentality.

Which resulted in profound suffering by athletes and their families, tons of bad publicity, and lately, a number of lawsuits by former players.

But while it took a long time — way too long — the league has learned a lesson. Witness its latest move:

After watching the Browns fail to test quarterback Colt McCoy for a concussion after he was jarred by a helmet-to-helmet hit — they returned him to the game two plays later — the NFL said that particular scenario won't ever happen again.

To make sure, the league is supplying — and paying for — independently certified athletics trainers at each game to monitor all suspected concussion-related injuries.

Browns tight end Evan Moore said the situation with McCoy, who still hasn't been cleared to play from the Dec. 8 concussion, was unfortunate, "but if it leads to change for the better in how we protect players, then so be it."

There's that word again — protect. Here's a crazy thought: Maybe the best way to "protect the program" — whatever it may be — is by simply doing the right thing.

Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com.