Described herein is a radiofrequency receive coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that includes an array of a plurality of individual coils arrayed around the outer limits of the imaging volume that is defined by a main magnet and a gradient coil, positioned tangentially down the length of said volume, with the plurality of individual coils each having an initial position with relation to the patient to be imaged; and mechanical support for the individual coils. The individual coils may be dynamically repositioned for optimal imaging. A further embodiment of the system includes an array of individual coils positioned radially on the vertical plane around the patient table, which may advance into the gantry before imaging. The method for use of the receive coil system is also described.