San Marcos, TX -- David Bailiff is returning to his alma mater to become the head coach of the Texas State football program, school president Dr. Denise Trauth announced Thursday.

Bailiff returns to the Bobcat football team after spending the previous three seasons as the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator at TCU. The Horned Frogs finished first in the nation in rushing and total defense in 2002.

"Our concern for doing things right was why we hired David," Dr. Trauth said. "This hiring shows that our players are students first and athletes second, and that we want them to be winners not only on but off the field."

Bailiff was a standout tight end for Texas State -- formerly Southwest Texas -- from 1977-80, where he earned All-America honorable mention honors.

After a three-year stint as a high school coach, Bailiff came back to San Marcos as a graduate assistant and defensive line coach for five seasons from 1988-92. After coaching at New Mexico for the next five seasons, Bailiff returned to Texas State for three more seasons as the defensive coordinator from 1997-99. He was named the NCAA I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 1999.

"I've never been more excited in my life," Bailiff said. "You don't have to leave the great state of Texas to find good student-athletes. We're going to win and graduate Texans."