Ross Hodge Has No Timeline for Filling WVU Coaching Staff

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Ross Hodge is eager to get his WVU tenure underway, but he’s not going to rush putting his coaching staff together.

“I’m not putting myself on a timeline,” Hodge said during his introductory press conference at WVU Thursday morning. “There’s an incredible excitement around this program and there’s not a shortage of people that would love to come be a part of this.”

Hodge was announced as WVU’s next men’s basketball coach last week, but stayed with North Texas to finish their run in the NIT. The Mean Green fell in the NIT semifinals Tuesday evening and Ross arrived in Morgantown Wednesday.

Hodge said he does expect to bring some members of his North Texas coaching staff with him to Morgantown. The assistant coaches on his UNT staff were Johnny Estelle, Phil Forte, Jase Herl, Andre Shaw and Mike Randle.

Outside of whomever he brings from UNT, Hodge said his main focus when putting his WVU staff together will be about fit and personalities.

“I’m kind of evaluating it all,” Hodge said. “It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together. You’re trying to get fits and personalities that can ultimately magnify my strengths and help me on my weaknesses.”

Another necessity Hodge outlined for his assistants is the ability to build relationships even in this transactional era of college athletics.

“(I want) people that love other people, people that want to serve these young men that we get to be around every day and impact them,” Hodge said. “And (people that) understand that the best way for all of us to have individual success as a staff is winning. The more you win, the more opportunities we all get.”

Of WVU’s coaching staff from this season, Chester Frazier and Kory Barnett have already accepted positions at other schools.

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