Joe Paterno will wait until after this season to find a solution to an injury that has forced him to coach some of Penn State's games from the press box.
At his Tuesday press conference, Paterno -- who has also been slowed up by a sore right leg -- indicated that his hip was bothering him. Although the injury has prevented Paterno from running out with his team before games, some days, Paterno said, he feels like he can "almost jog."
"I don't know for sure what it is," Paterno said. "It's probably something to do with the hip. I haven't got time to spend time going through examinations. I'm going to wait until the season's over, see what happens."
Paterno coached his undefeated Nittany Lions from a coach's booth last weekend at Wisconsin. He also called the shots from upstairs for half of the Temple game and for the entire Purdue game two weeks ago.
In Madison, Paterno used a cane to get around the stadium and had it with him during the post game press conference.
Paterno said he didn't need the cane, but found that he could stand and "could go a little longer" by using it.
Former Penn State quarterback and current ESPN commentator Todd Blackledge called the Wisconsin game and said he knows it bothers Paterno that the constant concerns over his health distract from his football team. A team that has blazed its way to a 7-0 record, has won every game by at least two touchdowns and has risen to No. 3 in the Associated Press Poll.
"It bugs him it distracts from the football team," Blackledge said Saturday. "Everybody is paying a lot of attention to that and what he's feeling like and maybe looking at that more than the football team. He's always been one that doesn't want the attention on him."
But the attention is on Paterno, especially considering the 81-year-old coach does not have a contract in place to coach beyond this year. Penn State administrators and Paterno have said they will wait to talk about a contract until after this season. When asked if he had consulted with doctors about his options for treatment after the season, Paterno said he hadn't.
"Oh geez. I don't have the slightest idea," Paterno said. "I'm trying to figure out how we're going to beat Michigan."
The offseason would be the only time Paterno could take the time to seek treatment, without missing a portion of the football season. Blackledge said he thinks Paterno -- who has remained relatively healthy over the years -- could recover if he had time to rest.
"I miss seeing him on the sideline but not as much as I'm sure he misses being there," Blackledge said. "I know when I see him it's not like he's got some illness or some sickness or something he's never going to recover from. It's just something he's got to get through, just like a player with an injury being hurt. The only time you really get better is when the season's over and you can rest."
