Rams' Stedman Bailey joins W.Va.'s coaching staff during gunshot recovery

Wide receiver Stedman Bailey, who was placed on the Los Angeles Rams' non-football injury list in June, will join West Virginia's staff as a student assistant coach.

The 25-year-old Bailey continues to recover from gunshot wounds to the head suffered last November near his hometown of Miami, Fla. He was shot twice in the head while sitting in a car with his family. At the time, he was serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Bailey attended the Rams' offseason workout program but was not cleared for football activities. Last month, the Rams placed Bailey on the reserve non-football injury list so he could stay around the team while not counting against the 90-man roster. He was present for Rams' organized team activities in Oxnard, Calif., in June, helping out with the receivers and on special teams.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen announced Sunday that Bailey will join the Mountaineers' coaching staff. Bailey plans to enroll as a full-time student to complete his bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies.

"First of all, I would like to thank the Los Angeles Rams organization, my teammates, coach Jeff Fisher, general manager Les Snead and the ownership for the way they have taken care of me and my family since they drafted me," Bailey said in a statement. "They're a first-class organization and made me feel like part of the family, especially during the past few months, which have been a tough time.

"Moving forward, I would like to thank West Virginia University, especially coach Dana Holgorsen and athletic director Shane Lyons for making this opportunity available. Even though my playing career isn't over yet, this gives me more time to heal so I can make a return. However, It is important to me to finish my degree. I loved my time as a Mountaineer football player and I look forward to working with coach Holgorsen and the Mountaineer football program."

Bailey played at West Virginia from 2010-12, compiling 3,218 receiving yards and 41 touchdowns.

Bailey, a 2013 third-round pick by the Rams, had 12 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown in eight games last season. He caught 59 passes for 843 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons with the Rams.

"We couldn't be happier for Stedman and this opportunity he has to complete his degree and join West Virginia's coaching staff," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement on West Virginia's website. "We wish him and his family the best as they step into the next chapter of their lives."