GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University has named Roger Hodge as its new head women's basketball coach, director of athletics Josh Ealy announced.

Hodge becomes the 17th head coach in program history and succeeds Meagan Price, who stepped down in March following three seasons with the Pioneers. Hodge was head coach at West Virginia Tech for the past two seasons after successful coaching stints at Armstrong Atlantic State, Lincoln Memorial and the College of Coastal Georgia. In 18 seasons as a college head women's basketball coach, Hodge has a 294-228 record.

"We are thrilled to welcome Roger to our Tusculum family. Roger has built and maintained winning programs at multiple levels, including NCAA Division II and the South Atlantic Conference," said Ealy. "He is a man of high character who is committed to supporting our student-athletes in all aspects of their collegiate journey. He has a clear vision for the program and understands the tradition of success with the Tusculum women's basketball program."

The Hinton, West Virginia native guided WVU Tech to a 32-29 record in his two seasons, qualifying the Golden Bears for the River States Conference tournament both years. WVU Tech ranked 11th in NAIA in scoring at 78.6 points per game this season, and was fourth in three-point percentage at 37.5 percent. The Golden Bears also ranked 17th nationally in team grade-point average at 3.54.

"I am truly blessed and honored to be the women's basketball coach at Tusculum University. Throughout the process, there was no question about God's leadership in bringing me here," said Hodge. "I am grateful to President Dr. Scott Hummel, Josh Ealy, and the search committee for entrusting me with the oversight of Pioneer women's basketball."

Prior to WVU Tech, Hodge spent five seasons (2016-21) as head coach at the College of Coastal Georgia in Savannah, Georgia. He is the Mariners' all-time winningest coach with an 80-63 record, which included back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20. His 2019 Coastal Georgia squad improved 12 games from the previous season and was the Sun Conference runner-up, while the 2019-20 squad received votes in the NAIA national poll. Hodge coached 10 All-Conference Players and two WBCA All-Americans while at Coastal Georgia.

Hodge had a three-year run (2011-12 to 2013-14) as head coach at Lincoln Memorial University, leading the Railsplitters to their first winning season in seven years in his debut, and the most wins in 10 years in 2013-14 when LMU finished 16-11 overall and 15-7 in the SAC. Hodge was 44-39 in three seasons with the Railsplitters.

From 2000-01 to 2007-08, Hodge was head coach at Armstrong Atlantic State where he was the Pirates' winningest coach with a 138-97 overall record in eight seasons, including three 20-win seasons and six straight winning campaigns from 2002-03 through 2007-08. Prior to Hodge's arrival, the Pirates had just two 20-win seasons and no NCAA Tournament appearances, but during his tenure Armstrong Atlantic won the 2003 Peach Belt Conference championship, made two trips to the NCAA Tournament and had a Peach Belt-best four All-Americans along with six All-PBC selections.

Following the 2002-03 season, in which the Pirates finished with a 27-4 record, Hodge was named Coach of the Year by the Peach Belt Conference and the South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

In addition to his head coaching career, Hodge spent two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10) as assistant women's basketball coach at East Carolina University, and spent three seasons (1997-98 to 1999-00) as assistant women's basketball coach at Liberty University.

Hodge also has coached scholastically, serving as head boys coach at Savannah Country Day School during the 2015-16 season and as an assistant coach at Hinton High School, Mercer Christian Academy and Summers County High School in West Virginia from 1987 to 1997.

During his high school career, Hodge was an All-Conference baseball player and was honorable mention All-State in football and basketball while at Hinton High School, where he was named to their football Hall of Fame. Hodge has been deeply involved in community service projects throughout his career, and is a member of the WBCA.

Hodge is a 1992 graduate of Concord University with a bachelor of arts degree, and earned a B.S. in education from Concord in 1997 and an M.S. degree in sport management from Georgia Southern in 2021.

"I am very impressed with the leadership of the school as well as the desire of all those I met to carry out the spiritual mission of the university," Hodge added. "One of my career goals has been to be a head coach at a Christ-centered institution. I'm very thankful to have that opportunity now and look forward to what God will do in our program!"

Tusculum finished 20-9 during the 2022-23 season and in second place in the Mountain Division of the South Atlantic Conference. The Pioneers led the SAC in scoring defense, rebounding, field goal percentage defense and assists per game.

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What they are saying about Roger Hodge:

Kenny Howell, Director of Athletics, WVU Tech:
"As someone I knew and appreciated many years ago, it is still apparent that Roger's desire to win and do things the right way has never wavered."

Kevin Pederson, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Coastal Carolina University:
"Coach Hodge is an outstanding hire and he will immediately raise the bar, not only at Tusculum, but in the SAC as well. Current and future Pioneers will really enjoy playing in Coach Hodge's uptempo system. He is an excellent coach and an even better person who will connect with his players on and off the court. Coach Hodge brings a discipline and work ethic that, combined with his recruiting experience in the Southeast Region, will have Tusculum competing at the highest level!"

Rick Reeves, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of the Cumberlands:
"Roger Hodge is a very talented basketball coach who has plenty of experience with building programs at every level. He will do a tremendous job at Tusculum University with that program on the basketball floor, in the classroom and in the community!"

Josh Schertz, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Indiana State University:
"I had the privilege of working with Roger Hodge for three years at Lincoln Memorial and he's truly the total package. Roger is an elite tactician, develops deep relationships with his players and has a vision for what he wants his program to look like both on and off of the court. I couldn't be more excited for Roger and Tusculum, I can assure you great times are ahead for Pioneer basketball!"