Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno back in hospital for observation

Friday, January 13, 2012

photo In this Oct. 22, 2011 file photo, Penn State coach Joe Paterno stands on the field before his team's NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is back in the hospital. His family says he was admitted Friday for observation due to minor complications from cancer treatments.

His family said in a statement released to The Associated Press that the 85-year-old Paterno continues to undergo a "regimen of treatments" after being diagnosed two months ago with what they call a treatable form of lung cancer.

The family hoped his latest stay would be brief. He most recently was in the hospital last month after breaking his pelvis.

The family said Paterno had "total confidence" in his doctors and was determined to make a full recovery.

School trustees fired Paterno on Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.