WVU’s Hodge Would Pay Hefty Buyout If He Leaves After 1 Season, in a Nod to Predecessor DeVries
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the embers of an offseason dispute still glow, another fascinating layer to Coach Ross Hodge’s high-stakes tenure at West Virginia University has emerged: a massive contractual buyout clause that would trigger if Hodge were to exit the program after just one season—a direct response to the painful exit of his predecessor, Darian DeVries.
According to confidential contract documents obtained by The Mountaineer Standard, Hodge agreed to a staggering $7.5 million buyout if he departs before completing two full seasons at WVU. That number, which insiders describe as “intentionally steep,” is viewed by many as both a deterrent and a statement of intent.
“This clause wasn’t just legal language,” said a university source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. “It was a scar—written from the wound DeVries left when he bolted to Iowa after just nine months. WVU wanted a leader who was committed, not one with a foot halfway out the door.”
Darian DeVries had been heralded as a culture-changing hire when he arrived from Drake in 2023, but his abrupt departure stunned the Mountaineer faithful. WVU was left scrambling to salvage its roster, staff, and recruiting momentum—resulting in a chaotic period that nearly derailed the entire basketball program.
Enter Ross Hodge.
Known for his fiery passion, blue-collar ethic, and recruiting power, Hodge was brought in as both a stabilizer and a game-changer. And WVU wanted to ensure that history wouldn’t repeat itself. His deal includes not just the $7.5M early-departure buyout, but also escalating penalties for any lateral move to another NCAA Division I program before year three.
“Coach Hodge understood the assignment,” said Athletic Director Wren Baker during a brief media scrum. “This clause protects the university and shows that Ross is all-in on building a legacy here.”
However, the buyout clause has come under renewed scrutiny this week after Hodge’s explosive confrontation with Baker regarding delayed bonus payments. Critics argue that such financial terms are one-sided and could ultimately backfire if tensions continue to build.
Still, Hodge has made no public indication that he plans to leave. In fact, close sources say he has doubled down on recruiting and internal culture-building despite recent frustrations. “He’s focused, he’s intense—and he still believes in this job,” said one assistant coach. “He just wants to be treated fairly.”
For now, Mountaineer Nation is holding its breath.
The stakes are as high as the contract numbers. If Hodge delivers on his promise and restores WVU basketball to national prominence, the buyout clause will serve as a mere footnote to a brilliant chapter. But if unresolved disputes push him toward the exit?
Well, $7.5 million says he won’t leave quietly.
