Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
As West Virginia celebrated its Big 12 Tournament championship Sunday night, Mountaineer head coach Mark Kellogg stood at the podium reflecting on a moment that meant far more than basketball.
The win came in Missouri, a place tied deeply to his family and to someone he wished could have been there to see it.
Kellogg’s mother passed away in late December. Back in the state where she grew up, the championship stirred emotions that had been building throughout the tournament.
“Both of my parents are from the state of Missouri. So, to come back here, she would have been here,” Kellogg said. “Obviously, she loved every second of this. So, that’s just some of the emotions that that I guess are kind of flooded here because you work so hard and you spend so much time. You miss out and your family, but to have the rest of my family’s here and it’s it’s special, but it’s been on my mind a little bit just being back here and how much she would be loving this. So, super thankful, little emotional, but mostly proud of these two guys.”
For Kellogg, Kansas City wasn’t just the site of a conference tournament.
Missouri holds deep family roots for Kellogg. Both of his parents are from the state, and early in his coaching career he spent a season at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville.
Being back in that part of the country, competing for a championship, brought those connections into focus.
Despite the emotional weight of the moment, Kellogg repeatedly shifted the spotlight back to the people around him — the players, staff and administrators who helped build WVU’s championship run.
“It starts at the presidential level,” Kellogg said. “I have a phenomenal athletic director that’s I’ve been with at a couple places that that just kind of gives you opportunities, gets out of your way a little bit, lets us do our thing. Great coaches, great staff. We have unbelievable character around us, the players included. And then all the credit to those guys. They did the hard work. We just try to put the plans together and put them in place and let these kids go showcase what they’re capable of.”
That culture and trust have helped define the Mountaineers this season. On the court, the Mountaineers’ identity is built on defense, toughness and relentless effort. Off the court, Kellogg says it starts with the people inside the program.
But Sunday night’s victory carried a quieter layer of meaning for the coach.
Back in the state where his family’s story began, the championship served as both a milestone for his program and a reminder of someone who helped shape his journey long before he ever stood on a championship stage.
For Kellogg, the moment was about pride, gratitude and the feeling that someone who meant so much to him would have loved every second of it.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
