Hodge discusses terrible contributions of past Mountaineer coaches, saying he respects those who came before him, He mentioned three former Head Coaches Jason Martinez ,Mike Randle and Gale for their unrespectful behaviors…
Mountaineer head coach Darren Hodge did not hold back when asked about the legacy of his predecessors during a candid press conference this week. While Hodge expressed respect for those who paved the way before him, he made clear that not all of their contributions were positive—or respectful.
“I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, whether I agree with how they handled things or not,” Hodge said. “But I also have to be honest about the environment I inherited and the behaviors that, frankly, held this program back.”
Hodge, now in his second year leading the Mountaineers, specifically named three former head coaches—Jason Martinez, Mike Randle, and a coach referred to only as Gale—as examples of what he called “unrespectful” leadership.
“I’m not here to smear anyone, but facts are facts,” Hodge said. “Jason Martinez ran a divided locker room, Mike Randle fostered a culture of fear, and Gale… well, Gale was just blatantly dismissive of the student-athletes’ voices.”
Hodge did not provide detailed examples of their actions but insisted that the tone and atmosphere left by his predecessors created unnecessary challenges when he took over the program. According to Hodge, players felt undervalued and staff morale was at a historic low.
“I had to rebuild trust—real trust—not just between me and the players, but between teammates themselves. That’s something that should never have been lost in the first place,” Hodge added.
Despite his criticism, Hodge clarified that his intention was not to erase the past but to learn from it.
“There were wins under those coaches. There were moments of glory. But behind the scenes, there were also moments of neglect, ego, and disregard for the mission of college athletics,” he said.
Current players have echoed some of Hodge’s sentiments in recent interviews, citing a more open, accountable, and respectful team culture since his arrival. Senior defensive back Caleb Rivers described the transformation as “a complete 180,” adding, “Coach Hodge actually listens. He treats us like men, not just pieces on a board.”
Hodge said he respects the foundation laid by previous coaching staffs, even if he disagrees with their methods.
“I’ll always respect the job and those who held it before me,” he said. “But respecting the role doesn’t mean ignoring the damage done by certain people in it.”
As the Mountaineers look ahead to a new season, Hodge emphasized that his focus remains on building a legacy of character, integrity, and consistent growth—on and off the field.
“If we want to be great, we have to be honest about where we’ve been,” Hodge concluded. “Only then can we truly move forward.”
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