West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge is forced to largely rebuild the Mountaineers basketball roster and the transfer portal will play a role …
Morgantown, WV – April 17, 2025 — With the dust still settling from a turbulent season, new West Virginia head basketball coach Ross Hodge finds himself facing an uphill battle: a near-total roster rebuild. The Mountaineers are entering a new era, and the transfer portal has become the centerpiece of Hodge’s strategy to reshape the program.
Hodge, who was officially named head coach following the resignation of interim coach Josh Eilert, steps into a program in flux. After a disappointing 2024–25 season, which saw the Mountaineers finish near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, the team has seen a significant number of departures. Graduation, NBA Draft declarations, and most notably, a wave of players entering the transfer portal, have left West Virginia with one of the thinnest rosters in Power 5 basketball.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of college basketball right now,” Hodge said earlier this week. “The portal gives, and the portal takes away. We’re focused on making it work for us.”
As of mid-April, the Mountaineers have lost more than half of last season’s roster to the portal, including key contributors from both the frontcourt and backcourt. Among the notable departures is sophomore guard Kobe Johnson, who emerged as a leader last season and is now fielding offers from multiple high-major programs.
In response, Hodge and his staff have hit the ground running, actively scouting and recruiting talent from across the country. The coaching staff has reportedly made contact with dozens of potential transfers, ranging from under-the-radar mid-major standouts to proven high-major veterans looking for a fresh start.
“We’re not just looking to fill spots,” said Hodge. “We’re looking for guys who fit our culture, who want to be part of something new and help build a foundation here.”
Hodge, who previously served as head coach at North Texas and was known for his gritty defensive style, brings a player development mindset that could appeal to overlooked prospects in the portal. His experience turning mid-major talent into contenders may be just what West Virginia needs during this reset.
Still, challenges remain. Rebuilding a roster from the ground up is never easy, and doing so in the ultra-competitive Big 12 only raises the stakes. Chemistry, experience, and leadership will be crucial—elements that can be difficult to cultivate with a group of newcomers.
Fans and analysts alike are cautiously optimistic. While some worry about the long-term impacts of transfer portal volatility, others see this as a chance for a clean slate.
“This is one of those defining moments for a coach,” said former Mountaineer guard and ESPN analyst Da’Sean Butler. “If Ross Hodge can bring in the right guys and get them to buy in quickly, West Virginia could surprise people.”
With the offseason in full swing and the transfer portal window still open, all eyes are on Morgantown. Whether Hodge can piece together a competitive squad remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the next few months will shape the future of Mountaineers basketball.
Be the first to comment