WVA

Naming former Bowling Green head coach and University Of Michigan assistant Don Nehlen as the new head coach ushered in high times in Morgantown and a definite Michigan look. Nehlen opted for navy blue jerseys with yellow/gold numbers and what became known as "the flying WV logo" on the sleeves. The helmet was changed to a navy blue shell with the same flying WV in yellow on each side and to this day, it is an immediately recognizable symbol that is tied to all of the WVU athletic teams. Wanting something that looked more identifiable and noticeable, especially as the helmet was viewed from a distance, the well-known logo began as a rough sketch by Nehlen that was finally completed by Kansas City based professional sports illustrator John Martin. A year after its introduction it became the official logo for all Mountaineer athletic teams. On July 1, 1986, the "flying WV" was adopted as the official West Virginia University logo. Nehlen also introduced excellence, playing in the new WVU Mountaineer Field Stadium and building his '80 team upon the better players that Cignetti had brought to the campus. Oliver Luck, recruited from Cleveland powerhouse St. Ignatius H.S and later to play four years with the Oilers, led the Mountaineer attack. RB Robert Alexander who had a short stint with the Rams in 1982 and '83 fueled the rushing attack as he completed his college career, with support from Walter Easley. Cedric Thomas and Darrell Miller returned as receivers. Improving Darryl Talley played the LB opposite solid Delbert Fowler with former RB Fulton Walker now effective at safety. Nehlen's initial 6-6 record was only a year away from going 9-1 and bringing the Mountaineers to eventual stabs at the National Championship and a place among the elite teams of the East.