Head Coach (still) Joe Paterno underwent hip replacement surgery today at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The surgery was conducted by Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, team physician for the Nittany Lions.

According to Bob Flounders of the Patriot-News, Joe is resting comfortably, and will be on his feet tomorrow. By way of personal experience, I can attest to the fact that he’ll have no choice as to whether to get out of bed, although Joe is so stubborn he’s probably wanting to be up and about today.

Now Joe and I have this much in common! If Joe’s recovery is anything like mine, he’ll be back on the field soon, albeit with crutches. By bowl time, he’ll be at the single cane stage. By the spring game, if all goes well  (and Joe’s a tough old bird so I think it will) he’ll be walking unaided. The most important thing for Joe—something he’s no doubt already noted—is that the crushing pain of a bad hip is now gone. There’ll be some soreness from the surgery, but that’s easily bearable compared to the excruciatingly constant pre-surgery bone-on-bone pain. Having been through it all, I am elated for Joe and know he’ll do very well from here on.

Read the Flounders story here.