Penny Hardaway Praises Ross Hodge as Future Coaching Star
Memphis, TN – Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway has voiced strong support for Ross Hodge, the new head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, calling him one of the brightest coaching minds in college basketball. Hardaway’s endorsement comes as Hodge prepares to lead West Virginia into a new era following his successful tenure at North Texas.
“Ross is definitely one of my favorite coaches in the country,” Hardaway stated. “He is the next big-time coach to take West Virginia back to the glory days of winning and playing in NCAA Tournaments.”
Hardaway, who has faced Hodge’s teams twice in recent seasons, highlighted his defensive coaching prowess. “His teams are arguably one of the best in the country defensively. They are relentless in their efforts for 40 minutes. It’s one of the hardest teams that I have ever had to coach against because they are so tough.”
The two coaches have split their matchups, with Hodge’s North Texas squad defeating Memphis 76-66 last season, while Hardaway’s Tigers secured a 68-64 victory this year.
Hardaway’s praise aligns with other endorsements from notable coaches, including Michigan’s Dusty May, Baylor’s Scott Drew, and Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland, all of whom recognize Hodge’s potential to make a significant impact at West Virginia.
With West Virginia seeking a resurgence in the competitive Big 12, Hodge’s appointment has generated excitement among fans and analysts. If Hardaway’s assessment is correct, the Mountaineers may soon return to their former prominence on the national stage.
