ROSS HODGE “TAKE LIGHTLY” HIS OPPORTUNITY WITH WVU BASKETBALL — A COACH ON A MISSION
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Ross Hodge has a message for the rest of the Big 12 and beyond: “Don’t take this opportunity lightly, because I sure won’t.” The newly appointed head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team has arrived in Morgantown with purpose, passion, and a chip on his shoulder big enough to fuel a March Madness run.
Hodge, known nationally for his gritty, blue-collar style and relentless defensive schemes, spent the last few seasons crafting a winning culture at North Texas as the head coach and long-time assistant under Grant McCasland. His ascent through the ranks of college basketball has been anything but glamorous — junior college stops, late-night recruiting drives, and years in the shadows — but now, he’s ready to shine under the lights at WVU Coliseum.
“I’m not here to enjoy the view,” Hodge told reporters during his first practice session with the team. “This is West Virginia. This program means something. I didn’t come here to take it easy — I came to build something special.”
Sources close to the program say Hodge has already implemented a full cultural shift within the locker room. Morning workouts are more intense, film sessions are longer, and every player is held to the highest standard of accountability. His “no-star, all-grit” philosophy is winning over fans and players alike.
WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker — who once worked with Hodge at North Texas — expressed full confidence in his hire. “Ross Hodge doesn’t just talk toughness — he lives it. He’s exactly the kind of coach who fits our Mountaineer spirit.”
While doubters question whether Hodge can handle the pressure of a Power Five job in a conference as unforgiving as the Big 12, the 46-year-old coach isn’t fazed.
“You can take me lightly if you want,” he said with a smirk. “But you won’t like the result.”
The Ross Hodge era has officially begun in Morgantown — and he’s not backing down.
