College basketball coaching searches are like March Madness itself—full of surprises. The latest hot name in the coaching carousel? Ross Hodge, the architect behind North Texas’ recent success. But is he the right fit for Morgantown? And will his deep connection with WVU’s Athletic Director, Wren Baker, seal the deal?
West Virginia’s Ross Hodge’s Rise to Coaching Prominence
He is the prime candidate for the West Virginia Mountaineers head coaching vacancy. With WVU looking to make a splash hire after parting ways with Darian DeVries, Hodge’s name has shot to the top of the list. If you’ve been paying attention to mid-major basketball, Hodge’s name isn’t new to you.
Sources: North Texas’ Ross Hodge is a serious candidate for the HC vacancy at West Virginia.
The Mean Green are in the Final 4 of the Postseason NIT.
Nothing is final, but Hodge – who worked w/ WVU AD Wren Baker at UNT – is under strong consideration to replace Darian DeVries.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2025
The 44-year-old coach has spent years carving out a reputation as a defensive mastermind. Hodge took over the Mean Green in April 2023 after serving six seasons as the associate head coach under Grant McCasland. In his first season as head coach, Hodge led North Texas to a 19-15 record, including statement wins against LSU and Memphis.
However, it was the 2024-25 season that truly put him on the national radar. With a 27-8 record and a deep NIT run that has them in the Final Four, North Texas has proven they can compete with anyone under Hodge’s leadership.
The Mean Green have thrived on defense, holding opponents to just 63.8 points per game—ranking first in the AAC and 12th in the nation. This hard-nosed, disciplined style of play has drawn comparisons to West Virginia’s old “Press Virginia” days, making Hodge an intriguing fit for the Mountaineers.
One of the biggest reasons Hodge is being strongly considered for the WVU job is his relationship with Athletic Director Wren Baker. The two worked together at North Texas when Baker served as the Mean Green’s AD from 2016 to 2022. During that time, North Texas basketball reached new heights, winning multiple C-USA titles and making deep postseason runs.
Is Hodge the Right Fit for West Virginia?
While Hodge’s defensive philosophy aligns well with WVU’s past identity, questions remain about his ability to recruit at the Power Five level. West Virginia competes in the ultra-competitive Big 12, where talent acquisition is just as important as Xs and Os.
Hodge has shown he can develop players, but can he attract top-tier talent to Morgantown? That’s a key question WVU’s administration will need to consider. The Mountaineers have struggled in recent years, missing the NCAA Tournament and finishing near the bottom of the Big 12.
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Whoever steps in next will need to hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, especially with the transfer portal playing a bigger role than ever.
Still, Hodge has a track record of maximizing the talent he has. If he can bring in the right assistants to help with recruiting and lean on the portal to land experienced players, he could build something special at WVU. With the coaching search heating up, all eyes will be on WVU’s next move.
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