> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How Can Kirby Moore Achieve Success at Washington State? - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/how-can-washington-state-kirby-moore-achieve-success/ - Published: 2025-12-15T06:52:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:54:20.000Z - Author: Jacob Stevenson - Tags: Analysis, Kirby Moore, Kirby Vorhees, Tony Freeman, Sullivan Schlimgen, Isaac Terrell, Cougars \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="4418"\] ![ After three seasons as play caller at Missouri, Kirby Moore faces a steep challenge in his first-ever head coaching gig at Washington State. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/usatsi_19740854-format-original.jpg) After three seasons as play caller at Missouri, Kirby Moore faces a steep challenge in his first-ever head coaching gig at Washington State. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images \[/caption\] Quickly finding a replacement for the departed Jimmy Rogers, the Washington State Cougars named Kirby Moore as their 36th head football coach, bringing a home state legend back to the Evergreen State with hopes of him being a long term answer for a program that desperately needs one. Moore, a Prosser, Washington native, played at Boise State and most recently served as the offensive coordinator at Missouri. Moore is also the younger brother of New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore, giving him both strong regional ties and NFL connections. During the 2025 season, he led a Tigers offense that finished first in the SEC in rushing, which according to former Washington head coach Chris Peterson is the result of a scheme that is “a step ahead when it comes to strategy and tactics.” That offensive success and reputation as a rising young coach coupled with local ties played a major role in Washington State’s decision to hire Moore. But now the challenges will begin for an offensive mind who has never been a head coach at any level and joins a program that remains in turmoil despite beating the odds continuing to win enough games for bowl relevance. Moore takes over a Washington State program that finished 6-6 in Rogers’ one and only season at the helm. Despite major instability created by the collapse of the Pac-12 and a temporary move to an independent-style schedule, the Cougars have stayed remarkably consistent. Washington State has now reached a bowl game in nine of the last 10 seasons, showing that the foundation of the program remains intact even through conference uncertainty and coaching changes. In order for Moore to have success in year one, player retention will be important. The Cougars’ defense was one of the team’s strengths this past season, and keeping core contributors such as Isaac Terrell and Sullivan Schlimgen would help preserve a strong foundation on that side of the ball. Defensive continuity would allow Moore and his staff to focus on implementing a new offensive system without placing immediate pressure on the unit to carry the team. On the offensive end, potential returners like Kirby Forhees and Tony Freeman could play a key role in easing the transition for Moore, as both players would represent quality fits for his offense at their respective positions. Retaining experienced offensive players in Pullman would help the staff with recruiting as well, which will be crucial to emerging as a top team in the rebuilt Pac-12. Adding quality players through the transfer portal will be necessary, especially at positions of need such as quarterback, where the team will be breaking in a new starter next season following the graduation of Zevi Eckhaus, but it is equally important to retain the high school recruits already committed to the program. Washington State needs to continue to recruit high school kids and to be able to keep and develop them for three or four years, something that hasn’t happened in the past few years with multiple coaching changes. Last year, Rogers inherited a roster with more than 70 new players. Moore will be hoping to avoid such a pitfall by persuading current players to stay onboard for his program while also trying to lure some of the recruits that Rogers had signed for the 2026 class. Another critical component will be Moore’s ability to work with the Cougar Collective and help increase NIL fundraising. “Everything is about NIL now,” a source that spoke to ECS said about the firing of former athletic director Anne McCoy, and that reality cannot be ignored. Retaining proven starters and attracting productive transfer players requires competitive NIL support. Bringing in a coach who generates excitement, establishes a clear identity, and connects with donors could significantly improve Washington State’s ability to keep talent in the program Simply put, Moore’s offensive success and regional roots give him an opportunity to energize both the fan base and the donor community early in his tenure. With how rapidly rosters change in college football, it is impossible to predict exactly who will be on the team next season for the Cougars. However, retention, targeted transfer portal additions, and NIL support remain the clearest path to success. As Washington State prepares for life in a new version of the Pac-12, the program’s recent history shows that remaining bowl eligible is not just a goal, but an expectation. Moore’s challenge in year one will be proving that Washington State football can continue to compete, adapt, and return to a bowl game despite the ever-changing landscape.