PULLMAN, Wash – The Washington native is back home.
Washington State University introduced new head football coach Kirby Moore at a packed public event Tuesday.
Moore, a native of nearby Prosser, Washington, is the 36th head football coach in WSU history.
“Being an eastern Washington kid, I grew up watching WSU’s success, especially football,” he said. “It’s good to be home.”
He replaces Jimmy Rogers who left WSU after one season and is now the head coach at Iowa State. Moore was most recently the offensive coordinator at the University of Missouri.
He was joined at the press conference by his family, including his wife Kayla and children Sutton, Cohen and Crew.
Moore spoke passionately about his goals for all facets of the game, including
“throwing to score, running to win” and harassing the quarterback on defense.
He spoke directly to former Cougar players.
“The door is open,” he said. “This is your program.”
Moore will lead the Cougs into the new Pac-12, which welcomes seven new teams next year.
Interim Athletic Director Jon Haarlow opened by recognizing current players, former players and past Cougar coaches.
He encouraged fans to be a part of the future with donations and participation with NIL donations.
“It takes all of us,” he said, referring to future success. “And it starts right here, right now.”
Moore holds the national high school record for most career receiving touchdowns at 95. He played for his dad at Prosser High School.
He then went on to play at Boise State.
His brother Kellen Moore coaches the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
“He may not have graduated from WSU,” Haarlow said, “but he’s a Coug through and through.”
Haarlow said finding a coach who wanted to run an innovative offense. He also described Moore as a “culture builder” with a goal to develop student athletes.
The Cougs will finish the 2025 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit will coach that game against Utah State before joining Rogers in Ames.
The game is Monday at 11 am PST.
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