Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - West Virginia senior quarterback Clint Trickett has decided to retire from football due to health issues stemming from multiple concussions.
Trickett revealed in a Friday media session that doctors have not cleared him to play in Monday's Liberty Bowl against Texas A&M.
"Obviously I'm not dressed and ready to go. I tried as much as I could. Believe me, I've been going up to UPMC numerous times over the past month and they were unable to clear me," Trickett said.
"It's been five concussions in 14 months now so unfortunately I have to retire from football and get into coaching -- the family business -- which is something I've been excited for and I really am ready to move on. I would love to be out and finish the season with my guys, my last game, and it's unfortunate how it ended but I had a great senior year and I would trade it for the rest."
The native of Tallahassee passed for 3,285 yards and 18 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on 281-of-419 attempts this year for the 7-5 Mountaineers.
He completes his collegiate career having accumulated 5,837 passing yards along with 32 TDs for West Virginia and Florida State.
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said Skyler Howard will be under center for the contest. Howard, a sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, completed 36-of-65 attempts for 483 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in relief of Trickett in 2014.
"It's unfortunate just because he's done such a good job for us. He's been our starting quarterback and I still consider him our starting quarterback. His senior year didn't end the way that he wanted it to but with that said, 10 1/2 good games and he put us into a position to be able to play in this bowl game," Holgorsen acknowledged of Trickett.
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