Becoming a head coach at West Virginia University – regardless of the sport – comes with a unique set of expectations. It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about understanding the people, the culture, and the pride that radiates from every corner of the Mountain State. READ MORE: More Than Morgantown: Ross Hodge Embraces All of West Virginia
Over the past 25 years, two coaches stand out to WVU fans: Bob Huggins and Rich Rodriguez. Both were deeply connected to Morgantown and West Virginia. That matters here, and it always has.
Ross Hodge, it seems, got the memo.
Almost Heaven
Hodge, a Dallas native, arrives in Morgantown after three years at North Texas, where he built a strong reputation and a connection with current WVU athletic director Wren Baker. But it’s what Hodge has done since landing in West Virginia that’s already turning heads – and not just in Morgantown.
Fans who’ve been following this summer’s run in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) saw WVU’s alumni squad, Best Virginia, make it all the way to the semifinals. They fell just short of the $1 million prize, but Hodge made sure their effort didn’t go unnoticed.
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Already a fan of TBT, Hodge didn’t just show up—he embraced the moment. He donated to the team. He bought them pizza. He brought his current Mountaineers squad down to Charleston to watch the games in person. That’s not just a photo op, that’s a message. A message to fans and alumni across the state that he’s not just here to coach in Morgantown. He’s here for all of West Virginia.
“It was awesome to get to experience that with your fan base. Typically, anytime you’re in those settings you’re coaching the game which is a complete different deal than actually being able to be a fan and witness that event and share that experience with the Charleston fans down there,” Hodge said after the quarterfinals victory. “And super proud of those Best Virginia guys and everything they’ve been able to do so far.”
Building Trust
Former players, such as John Flowers, have taken notice. Flowers, the general manager of Best Virginia and a former standout under Bob Huggins, had high praise for WVU’s new head coach.
“I can’t say enough about how supportive Ross Hodge has been… from personally donating to Best Virginia to help make this run possible, buying the team pizza after games, giving us James Reese. Coach gets it!” Flowers posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday night.
And Coach Hodge really does seem to “get it.” As he works to rebuild trust and continuity within a program still reeling from an NCAA Tournament snub—and the abrupt departure of Darian DeVries and his son after just one season—Hodge is making intentional efforts to connect, stabilize, and unify.
“Country roads, take me home! Man, this is an incredible honor. This is a blessing and this is an opportunity that I certainly don’t take lightly,” Hodge said in his introductory press conference. “The one thing you hear when you hear anyone talk about West Virginia, the first thing that comes out of everyone’s mouth is you will love these people. There’s not better people anywhere on this planet than the people of West Virginia.”
And of course, Coach Hodge’s first official game on the WVU sideline won’t be a soft launch – it’s against hated rival Pittsburgh on Thursday, November 13th. The Backyard Brawl returns to the Coliseum, and with it, one of the most emotionally charged atmospheres in college basketball.
Welcome to West Virginia, Coach. No pressure!
