Ross Hodge Confident Defensive Prowess is Key for WVU to Win Big 12 Titles

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU basketball is known far and wide for being a program built on toughness. Players come and go, but West Virginia fans love seeing their Mountaineers clamp down and make life miserable for opponents. That’s where Ross Hodge, a noted defensive guru, comes in.

Aside from their personal relationship, WVU director of athletics Wren Baker emphasized Hodge’s reputation as a strong defensive coach being a major factor in knowing he was the right man to lead the next era of West Virginia basketball. Hodge mentioned his North Texas teams being high up in KenPom’s defensive metrics and believing having a top defense is the recipe to winning a Big 12 championship. And based on recent history, he’s right.

Hodge brought up Kelvin Sampson’s Houston team being fueled by defense and successful programs like Kansas and Texas Tech constantly establishing a defensive identity above all else.

“If you’re going to win the Big 12, you have to be one of the best defenses in the country. We plan on being one of the best defenses in the Big 12, which makes us one of the best defenses in the country,” said Hodge as part of his introductory speech about what to expect from his teams.

National analyst John Rothstein coined the slogan, “West Virginia Basketball. Tougher than a weekend at your in-laws” during the Bob Huggins era. He retired it following Huggins’ exit and abstained from providing a new phrase that would fit Darian DeVries’ team last season. Hodge offered some advice for Rothstein while speaking to Mountaineer Nation for the first time on Thursday – just bring back the original. It should fit his teams as much as it did the Press Virginia groups of the past.

WVU MBB HC Ross Hodge mentions he hopes West Virginia basketball is as tough as a weekend at your in-laws again like @JonRothstein used to say.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) April 3, 2025

Hodge comes to WVU after two seasons as the head coach at North Texas, where he compiled a 46-23 record. He replaces Darian DeVries, who was hired away by Indianaearlier this month. WVU announced Hodge has signed a five-year contract.

“I understand the great responsibility of continuing the tradition of Mountaineer Basketball and sincerely appreciate the trust and belief of (athletic director) Wren Baker, Presidents (Gordon) Gee and (Michael) Benson and the rest of the administration,” Hodge said.

The 44-year-old Hodge spent eight total seasons at North Texas, six as the associate head coach under Grant McCasland, now Texas Tech’s head coach, and two as head coach. Hodge wrapped up his time with the Mean Green with a loss in the NIT Semifinals.

For a related story, vote in WV Sports Now’s poll to see if WVU fans are already changing their mind about Ross Hodge.