Joe Paterno out of hospital after hip replacement surgery

Nov 25, 2008 - 11:15 PM UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was released from the hospital Tuesday after undergoing hip replacement surgery this weekend.

Paterno, who turns 82 next month, underwent the operation Sunday at the Mount Nittany Medical Center, just one day after guiding the Nittany Lions to their first Rose Bowl trip in 14 years.

"(Paterno) no longer experiences hip-related pain," the school said in a statement.

Paterno will continue his rehabilitation from home and expects to resume his coaching duties on December 1, when Penn State's players return to school following their Thanksgiving break.

Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, who supervised the surgery, reported that "all objectives were accomplished."

The winningest coach in major college football history, Paterno has been plagued by a sore hip throughout the season. He originally suffered the injury while attempting an onside kick during a preseason practice in August.

Paterno has been forced to coach Penn State's last seven games from the press box due to the injury.

As Paterno watched from the box at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night, Penn State crushed Michigan State, 49-18, to clinch a share of the Big Ten Conference title and secure a trip to the Rose Bowl.

The Nittany Lions had not reached the Rose Bowl since going 11-0 under Paterno during the 1994 season.

Paterno, who has guided Penn State to an 11-1 record this year, owns a career record of 383-126-3 in 43 seasons in Happy Valley.