Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, a native of Prosser, Washington, agreed to five-year deal to become the next head coach of the Washington State football team, WSU interim athletic director Jon Haarlow announced. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on X.
“Kirby Moore is regarded as one of the top young coaches in college football with proven success throughout multiple levels of his coaching career,” Haarlow said in a press release. “He has an innovative offensive mind and a team-oriented approach that will resonate with and elevate our student-athletes. Throughout the process, his energy and commitment to wholistically developing our student-athletes, on the field and off, along with his ties to Eastern Washington and familiarity with Washington State University, make him the right leader for Cougar Football.”
Moore’s return to his home state comes exactly one week after former coach Jimmy Rogers unexpectedly left for the head job at Iowa State. Immediately after Rogers’ departure, the WSU athletic department began a nationwide search, which included a visit from Moore, who had reportedly been spotted at the Pullman-Moscow airport. Just a couple days after his arrival, Moore is here to stay in Pullman.
“I’m honored and excited to join Washington State University as its new head football coach,” Moore said in a statement. “Becoming a first-time head coach at a special place like Washington State is a dream come true for my family and I. I want to thank President Cantwell and Jon Haarlow for the opportunity to return home and continue the proud tradition of Cougar football. The future of our program is bright. I look forward to leading this team and making our state proud.”
According to Moore’s Mizzou contract, WSU avoided a contract buyout as Moore does not owe any money to Mizzou if he leaves early to take a head coaching job. Players were informed of the decision to hire Moore at a team meeting at 2 p.m. Friday.
The former Mizzou OC has over 10 years of coaching experience, most recently joining the Tigers in 2023 as their coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Under Moore, the Tigers had the No. 1 rushing offense in the SEC and eighth best in the country. Moore helped develop recent program success QB Brady Cook and coached Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III, who was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Before his time in Columbia, Missouri, Moore spent six years at Fresno State where he spent time as an OC, QBs coach, wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator. Moore helped coach the Bulldogs to a Mountain West Conference title in 2022 and defeated the Cougs 29-6 in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. Moore also served as a graduate assistant at Washington in 2015 and 2016, and worked with the receiving room at Idaho.
Prior to his coaching career, Moore played wide receiver at Boise State, where he played in four consecutive bowl games with the Broncos and recorded over 1,100 yards in his college career. Moore also played with his brother, Kellen Moore, who ended his Boise State career as the winningest quarterback in college football and is currently the head coach of the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
With over 10 seasons of coaching experience and several more as a college football player, Moore comes to Pullman with a much needed well-established resume for a program in transition. Just over 160 miles from his hometown, WSU gets a local product to lead the new era of its football program.
A press conference introducing Moore will be held on Tuesday at the Cougar Football Complex.
Story last updated at 5:25 p.m. PST.
