As Ross Hodge prepares for his first season leading West Virginia basketball into the Big 12 Conference, he’s not just stepping into new territory—he’s also reuniting with an old friend and mentor.
That familiar face? Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland.
Before taking the reins at West Virginia, Hodge served under McCasland as his associate head coach for seven seasons—one at Arkansas State and six more at North Texas. Their long-standing partnership helped shape both coaches and built a strong mutual respect.
But their connection goes back even further.
“We competed against each other as young junior college coaches,” Hodge said during an interview on the Jon Rothstein podcast. “He was at Midland Junior College, and I was at Paris Junior College.”
From Rivals to Allies—and Back Again
In those early days, both coaches were learning on the fly, trying to carve out their own coaching identities.
“We were two young guys who didn’t even know what we were doing—but we thought we did,” Hodge joked. “We competed hard back then, and of course, we pushed each other during all those practices over the years at North Texas.”
Now, the two will square off again—this time as head coaches in one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences.
Focused on the Game, Not the Storylines
While there’s obvious mutual admiration, Hodge is focused on what really matters: giving his team the best shot to win.
“I’d imagine there’ll be a healthy level of respect,” Hodge said. “But when the games begin, it’s not about our personal relationship. It’s about figuring out how to help our team win that night.”
Even with their shared history, Hodge isn’t interested in making their matchups personal. The spotlight will be on West Virginia vs. Texas Tech—not Hodge vs. McCasland.
Big 12 Basketball Just Got More Personal
This unique reunion adds another layer of intrigue to Big 12 basketball. While the games will be fierce, it’s clear both coaches have deep admiration for each other—and for the game that brought them together.
“I think it’ll be fun,” Hodge said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about the players on the court and preparing them to succeed.”
As the Mountaineers gear up for a new chapter in Big 12 play, fans can look forward to an exciting—and meaningful—series of matchups between two coaches who know each other better than most.
