West Virginia's Ross Hodge Struggles in First Year as Head Coach

Hodge's defense-first approach can't make up for lack of offensive firepower

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In his first year as head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ross Hodge has struggled to find success, with the team's offense ranking near the bottom among new coaches at major programs. While Hodge's defensive-minded approach has kept the Mountaineers competitive, the lack of scoring punch has resulted in a 9-16 record with three games left in the regular season.

Why it matters

West Virginia fans had high hopes for Hodge, who was hired last year to replace the departed Bob Huggins. Hodge's reputation as a strong defensive coach and developer of talent made him an appealing choice, but the Mountaineers' offensive woes have dampened enthusiasm for the new era. The team's struggles highlight the challenges of rebuilding a program and the importance of having a balanced roster with both defensive and offensive firepower.

The details

Hodge's first-year numbers tell the story - his team ranks 15th out of 15 new coaches at major programs in offensive rating, despite having talented scorers like Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff. The lack of a consistent interior presence and three-level scorer has hampered the Mountaineers' ability to generate points. Defensively, Hodge's squad has been solid, ranking second among new coaches in defensive rating, but the offense has been a major liability.

  • With three games remaining in the regular season, West Virginia sits at 9-16 overall.

The players

Ross Hodge

The first-year head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, hired last year to replace the departed Bob Huggins.

Honor Huff

A talented scorer for the Mountaineers who has struggled to find consistency this season.

Treysen Eaglestaff

Another key offensive weapon for West Virginia who has not been able to fully capitalize on his scoring ability.

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What’s next

Hodge and his staff will need to focus on upgrading the roster through the transfer portal and recruiting, with an emphasis on finding players who can provide a consistent scoring punch to complement the team's defensive identity.

The takeaway

While Hodge's defensive-minded approach has kept the Mountaineers competitive, the lack of offensive firepower has been a major issue in his first season. West Virginia fans will be looking for significant improvement next year as Hodge continues to rebuild the program.