Stedman Bailey: Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver to coach at West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., July 18 (UPI) -- His attempt at an NFL comeback might have hit a roadblock, but Stedman Bailey still yearns for the gridiron.

Bailey will have his shot to return to football in a coaching capacity at West Virginia University, his alma mater. Bailey will also enroll full-time at the school to complete a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies. He will coach as a student assistant in 2016 for the Mountaineers under head coach Dana Holgorsen.

"I know Stedman is very disappointed that he isn't able to play football at this time. However, I am glad that he is going to turn an unfortunate situation into a positive one by coming back to WVU as a student assistant coach and more importantly finishing his degree," Holgorsen told WVU Sports. "He was an important part of our football program as a player, and I look forward to him being with us once again. Like we say here - once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer."

Bailey, 25, was shot in the head twice last November during a drive-by shooting in Miami. He miraculously made it home that Christmas. In June, the Rams put him on the reserve non-football injury list.

"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. 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," Bailey said in a statement.

"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 had 3,218 yards and 41 touchdowns from 2010 to 2012 with the Mountaineers. The Rams drafted him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Bailey will take part in on-field coaching and mentoring Mountaineers wide receivers. He had 59 receptions for 843 yards and scored four total touchdowns in three seasons with the Rams.