Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno, 81, returned home Tuesday after undergoing successful hip replacement surgery.

Paterno, who has been coaching from the press box for a majority of the season after injuring his hip attempting an onside kick in practice, has not experienced pain in the hip following the procedure.

Paterno is expected to resume his normal coaching duties Dec. 1, when the team returns from its Thanksgiving break.

The Nittany Lions won their third Big Ten championship Saturday with a victory over Michigan State. Penn State, 11-1, has earned a trip to a BCS Bowl in January. Paterno said he plans on coaching in 2009 despite his health problems.