JoePa undergoes successful hip replacement

[November 26, 2008]  STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno had successful hip replacement surgery Sunday, a day after the Nittany Lions clinched the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

The 81-year-old coach was resting comfortably at Mount Nittany Medical Center and was eager to return home, the team said in a statement.

Paterno is expected back on his feet Monday, and resume coaching on Dec. 1, when players return to school following Thanksgiving break.

Paterno spent much of this season coaching from the press box because of the sore hip he injured while demonstrating an onside kick in August. Paterno said Saturday he plans to return in 2009.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.