Mike Smith is leaving West Virginia to return to the New York Jets, just two weeks after he was named an assistant coach on defense for the Mountaineers.

The school announced Thursday that he is returning to the Jets to coach the outside linebackers. It's the same position he held before leaving the Jets. West Virginia didn't give a reason for Smith's departure.

The move means West Virginia still has two openings on the defensive staff.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel, defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich and defensive backs coach David Lockwood joined Rich Rodriguez's staff at Arizona last month.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen hired Oklahoma State's assistant Joe DeForest last month. Both were on the Cowboys' coaching staff in 2010.