Though he has only two years of experience as a Division I head coach, Ross Hodge is highly regarded in the basketball world.
At North Texas, Hodge faced the challenge of rebuilding his roster through the transfer portal in both seasons. Instead of struggling with roster turnover, he led the Mean Green to 46 wins in 69 games. While his overall record might not stand out at first glance, many in college basketball believe he is poised to succeed at West Virginia including ESPN analyst and former college coach Paul Biancardi.
“West Virginia landed a program builder and a consistent winner in Ross Hodge,” Biancardi wrote on X. “After spending time in Denton, Texas, last week watching film and observing practice with Hodge, it was clear he wouldn’t be at UNT for long. His teams were known for defensive efficiency and discipline. Offensively, his execution was sharp, particularly on inbounds plays and after timeouts. According to Synergy Basketball, UNT ranked 5th nationally in out-of-bounds efficiency and 10th in after-timeout efficiency.”
For a WVU program that struggled in these areas last season including inbounding, handling defensive pressure, and creating quality shots out of timeouts, Hodge’s structured approach will be a welcome change. While the Mountaineers will feature a brand-new roster in 2025-26, his ability to build disciplined, efficient teams suggests he’s well-equipped to lead the program forward.
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