Former West Virginia University running back Steve Slaton runs across the football field, during his time playing for the Mountaineers. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — It is said, “You can never go home again.” That axiom may be true in so many instances, but that is not so in the case of former West Virginia University running back Steve Slaton.

Slaton, who is already in the Athletic Hall of Fame at WVU, was recently announced by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, as a member of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class. He can celebrate this accomplishment back in Morgantown, where he has joined the coaching staff of Rich Rodriguez.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” NFF Chairman and 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi Archie Manning said. “Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”

Slaton’s bronzed likeness and credentials will be resting alongside six other former WVU football players — Bruce Bosley, Major Harris, “Rat” Rodgers, Joe Stydahar, Darryl Talley and Sam Huff — who are already in that Hall of Fame.

Former Mountaineer coaches ensconced there are Bobby Bowden, Don Nehlen, Doc Spears, Greasy Neale and Frank Cignetti.

During Slaton’s three seasons at WVU, the Mountaineers went to three bowl games — the Sugar Bowl following the 2005 season, the Gator Bowl just after the 2006 regular season and the Fiesta Bowl following the 2007 campaign.

WVU won Big East Conference championships in both the 2005 and 2007 seasons.

The Mountaineers compiled an overall 33-5 record in Slaton’s three years.

When his star-studded career was completed, Slaton had the school’s career touchdown record with 55, the career record for rushing touchdowns with 50, career points for a non-kicker with 330 and was fifth in career rushing yards with 3,923.

His 1,744 yards in a single season is also a WVU record.

Following his years in Morgantown, Slaton played for five seasons in the NFL and one year in the Canadian Football League.

In 2006, he was fourth in the voting for that year’s Heisman Trophy.

His induction into the WVU Hall of Fame came in 2018.

Home again. Back where he and quarterback Pat White accomplished so much as players for the bowl-happy Mountaineers, then coached by Rodriguez.