🚨EXCLUSIVE: major development for Mountaineer Nation, legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champion Jeff Hostetler is returning to West Virginia University—but this time, not as a player. Hostetler will take on the role of Director of Football Operations starting in the 2025 season, bringing his deep football knowledge and decades of experience back to Morgantown.

🚨EXCLUSIVE: major development for Mountaineer Nation, legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champion Jeff Hostetler is returning to West Virginia University—but this time, not as a player. Hostetler will take on the role of Director of Football Operations starting in the 2025 season, bringing his deep football knowledge and decades of experience back to Morgantown.

 

 

In a major development for Mountaineer Nation, legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champion Jeff Hostetler is returning to West Virginia University—but this time, not as a player. According to the university’s athletics website, Hostetler will take on the role of Director of Football Operations starting in the 2025 season, bringing his deep football knowledge and decades of experience back to Morgantown.

Though Hostetler won’t be suiting up on the field, his presence is expected to have a significant impact on the WVU football program. His leadership and understanding of the game, developed over years in the NFL and as a collegiate star, make him a valuable addition to the Mountaineers’ staff. In this new administrative and strategic role, Hostetler will help oversee day-to-day football operations, program logistics, and player development support, helping to shape the future of the program behind the scenes.

Hostetler is best known nationally for leading the New York Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXV, stepping in for injured starter Phil Simms and guiding the team to a 20–19 win over the Buffalo Bills in one of the most memorable finishes in Super Bowl history. However, for West Virginia fans, his legacy starts long before that historic night in Tampa.

After transferring from Penn State, Hostetler became a star at WVU under head coach Don Nehlen. He led the Mountaineers to notable victories during the early 1980s, including an upset win over Oklahoma in 1982. His tough, resilient playing style and leadership on the field quickly endeared him to Mountaineer fans. Morgantown became a home for Hostetler—not just a stepping stone to the NFL.

Now, more than three decades after last wearing the gold and blue, Hostetler returns to his alma mater in a capacity that’s perhaps less visible but no less important. University officials and fans alike are hopeful that his return signals a renewed energy and commitment to excellence within the football program.

“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Hostetler said in a statement released by the university. “West Virginia gave me the opportunity to become the quarterback and man I aspired to be. I’m honored to come back and contribute to the program in a new way.”

WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker praised the move, calling Hostetler “a proven leader with unmatched insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of football.” Head coach Neal Brown also expressed excitement, saying, “Having a Mountaineer legend like Jeff involved at this level is a win for everyone—our players, our staff, and our fans.”

Hostetler’s hiring adds to a growing trend of programs bringing back former stars to guide their teams in new roles—honoring tradition while building toward the future. For West Virginia, the return of one of its most iconic players is more than symbolic; it’s a strategic step aimed at revitalizing the Mountaineers’ path back to national prominence.

Hostetler is set to begin his duties ahead of the 2025 season.