College Basketball
Ross Hodge on Opportunity to Lead WVU Basketball: ‘Honor of a Lifetime’
Now knee deep into preparing for his first season as WVU’s head coach, Ross Hodge was able to take some time to reflect on the opportunity in front of him. Hodge even had to hold back emotions when explaining what leading the West Virginia Mountaineers means.
“There’s a lot of really really great coaches out there, all levels, that don’t get these opportunities. And I’m thankful that I’m able to be in this position,” said Hodge in an interview with The Field of 68 about the biggest opportunity of his career at 44-years-old.
Hodge already had an existing relationship with WVU director of athletics Wren Baker from their time together at North Texas, but receiving the phone call with the WVU offer was extra special.
“A lot of emotions come with that phone call. This isn’t something I take lightly or take for granted.”
Ross Hodge explains why taking the @WVUhoops job was "the honor of a lifetime" 👀
"A lot of emotions come with that phone call. This isn't something I take lightly or take for granted"
FULL INTERVIEW ⬇️https://t.co/OEdzoZySVB pic.twitter.com/FL13sE0WPh
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) June 20, 2025
But Hodge also knows the power of a job like WVU basketball comes with a great deal of pressure as well.
And Hodge isn’t afraid to set the bar high for WVU. While getting West Virginia back in the NCAA Tournament is the first step, that’s far from the ultimate goal for Hodge.
In a separate interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Hodge made it clear that he’s striving to win a national championship for the Mountaineers.
“Obviously, want to get back to the NCAA Tournament. I mean, the ultimate goal would be to win a national championship,” Hodge told Rothstein when asked about his goals.
Ross Hodge Not Afraid to Set High Expectations, Lofty Goals for WVU
Hodge also realizes his dream is no different than any other coach and putting together a solid roster was his true goal for the 2025 offseason.
“I think that’s what everybody wants to do. It’s not easy to do, but that’s what we want to do here, and to do that, you’ve got to put a team together that’s connected and tough, plays for each other, and plays the right way. That would be the goal. Not only get in the NCAA Tournament, but advance,” added Hodge.
This comment aligns with what he said directly to WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti during a WVU Coaches Caravan event in Pittsburgh.
Even though Hodge has not experienced the NCAA Tournament yet as a head coach, he has won everywhere he’s been and he believes he has a team full of winners.
“Experience matters at this time period, so one thing we’ve tried to do is add guys to our roster who have won and been part of winning, even if it wasn’t winning at West Virginia,” Hodge told Asti about his work in the transfer portal.
“We definitely wanted to add people who have won. Now we have to teach them how we want to win together, but you don’t have to teach them how to win.”
Historically, WVU basketball sits as No. 20 as far as all-time wins in college basketball history. West Virginia has reached the NCAA Tournament 31 times, advanced to the Sweet 16 on 11 occasions, the Elite Eight three times and the Final Four twice. WVU has also won a conference tournament championship 13 times and the NIT twice. West Virginia claims the 1942 NIT title as a national championship.
For a related story, Ross Hodge details the biggest difference in coaching in West Virginia compared to North Texas.
