Paterno out of hospital two days after hip replacement surgery

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno was released from the hospital two days after undergoing hip replacement surgery.

The 81-year-old coach had surgery to fix a sore hip that prevented him from pacing the sidelines. He coached the final seven games of the regular season from the press box.

Paterno was released early from Mount Nittany Medical Center, the school said in a statement. The team doctor called the surgery a success.

The surgery took place Sunday, the day after No. 6 Penn State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) beat Michigan State to win the conference title and a trip to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

"He no longer experiences hip-related pain and will continue his rehabilitation at home," the statement said. "Coach Paterno has been working on bowl preparation schedules while in the hospital."

Paterno was expected to start evaluating tape of last week's win while home and resume coaching duties on Monday, when players return from Thanksgiving break.

It's unclear whether Paterno will be healthy enough to return to the sideline for the Rose Bowl, though he has vowed to remain active in bowl preparations.