http://www.todayspigskin.com/pigskin-news/rams-wr-stedman-bailey-will-coach-west-virginia/
By
Jon Schlosser
Posted on July 18, 2016
Before he was with the then St. Louis Rams, WR Stedman Bailey played at West Virginia. He only stayed for three years and did not finish his degree before going to the NFL. However, he’s now going back to get that degree, and he’s going to join the coaching staff, according to coach Dana Holgorson.
Bailey’s NFL career has been derailed by a serious injury, as he was shot in the head back in 2015. He recovered and seems to be doing quite well, all things considered, but he probably can’t return to the NFL. The Rams had recently put him on the non-football injury list. Coach Jeff Fisher had talked about allowing him to work with the Rams’ coaches, so he wouldn’t have to give up on the NFL entirely, but he would apparently prefer to go to West Virginia. That decision does make sense because of his chance to finish his degree and plan for life without a pro football paycheck—even though he’s expressed some optimism that he may someday return.
Fisher is reportedly very happy that Bailey has this opportunity, and the WR himself expressed his thanks to the organization for standing by him in such a tough time,
saying:
“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. 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.”
