Washington State Cougars Hire Missouri OC Kirby Moore as Head Coach in Blockbuster Move

Washington State University is set to turn the page on its football future by hiring Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore as the Cougars’ new head coach, multiple sources confirmed Friday afternoon. Moore, 35, returns to his home state after three highly productive seasons directing Missouri’s offense. During his tenure in Columbia, the Tigers jumped from the bottom third of the SEC to a top-30 national scoring unit, averaging 32.5 points per game and leading the league in rushing efficiency last season. Missouri posted a combined 29-9 record while Moore called plays, highlighted by an 11-win Cotton Bowl campaign in 2023. Why Washington State made the move • Home-grown roots: The Prosser, Wash., native starred at Boise State before beginning his coaching climb and still commands name recognition across the Pacific Northwest. • Offensive pedigree: Moore’s play-calling résumé includes stops at Fresno State (Mountain West champions in 2022) and Missouri, where he developed NFL-caliber quarterbacks and receivers. • Recruiting upside: His West Coast background, SEC experience and family ties—brother Kellen Moore is the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator—give WSU an instant attention boost on the trail. Immediate challenges in Pullman 1. Roster retention: The Cougars must navigate the transfer portal after a 6-6 season that ended with three one-score road losses. 2. Staff assembly: Expect a search for assistants with Pac-12 and Mountain West recruiting ties as the reconfigured conference expands next fall. 3. Quarterback development: Moore’s quarterback-friendly system could attract portal talent, but spring reps will be crucial to settle the depth chart. Long-term outlook Washington State’s administration believes Moore’s balanced, tempo-based attack can keep the program nationally relevant as the Pac-12 reshapes. If the Cougars replicate Missouri’s explosive metrics—top-10 third-down conversion rate and SEC-best rushing yardage—Pullman could again become one of college football’s toughest road trips. Key numbers • 71% career bowl win rate as an assistant • 418.0 average total yards per game across three seasons at Mizzou • 4 Conference titles (as player and coach) since 2010 Bottom line By reuniting Kirby Moore with Pacific Northwest football and pairing his creative offense with Washington State’s underdog culture, the Cougars may have landed one of the offseason’s most strategic hires—a move poised to energize recruiting, spark offensive fireworks and reignite the crimson faithful in Pullman.