‘Great to Be Home’: Kirby Moore Introduced as Washington State’s 36th Head Football Coach
Officially ushering in a new era in Pullman, the Washington State Cougars formally introduced Kirby Moore as their next head football coach on Tuesday, and one phrase from his opening remarks immediately resonated with Cougar fans.
“It feels great to be home.”
Moore, a Prosser native, is taking over the program just a couple hours from the town where both he and his wife grew up. That local connection stood out as Washington State looks for stability after recent coaching turnover. After former head coach Jimmy Rogers emphasized loyalty at his own introductory press conference only to leave at his first opportunity to take Iowa State’s coaching job, Cougar fans are hopeful Moore can be the long-term answer in Pullman.
Moore inherits a program that has built a reputation for competitiveness and winning despite uncertainty surrounding conference realignment. During the press conference, Moore repeatedly emphasized opportunity, belief, and momentum as key themes moving forward.
Vision for the Program and the New Pac-12
Moore highlighted the significance of Washington State’s role in the restructured Pac-12, calling it “an incredible opportunity” to lead and shape the future of the conference. He made it clear that building the roster and assembling his staff will be a process, but one he’s eager to embrace rather than calling it a challenge.
“We’re going to build this thing the right way,” Moore said, noting that patience and alignment will be important as the program transitions into its next phase.
Message to Current Players
One of the most pressing questions Moore faced was how he plans to keep players in Pullman amid the transfer portal era.
His answer was straightforward, not dipping into the territory of a used car salesman as many new coaches tend to do.
“We’re gonna bring a great staff here and have the opportunity to win at a high rate,” Moore responded.
Moore emphasized that success on the field, combined with strong relationships and development, will be the foundation for retaining players and attracting new talent.
Recruiting Philosophy
When discussing roster construction through the transfer portal, Moore outlined exactly what he and his staff will prioritize as they aim to build the Cougars into a powerhouse in the new Pac-12.
Offensively, the focus is simple: players who can put points on the board.
“We’re looking for guys who can score touchdowns,” Moore said, stressing explosiveness and production.
Defensively, Moore wants players who can disrupt opposing offenses, emphasizing aggressiveness and impact plays.
“Guys who can wreak havoc and play well.”
A Homecoming with High Expectations
For Moore, this first head coaching job represents more than just a career opportunity. It truly is a homecoming. For Washington State, it represents a chance to regain stability and continue the program’s winning tradition after being saddled by constant turnover with three coaches in a three-year span.
Cougar fans will be watching closely, hopeful that this time next year they won’t be facing another coaching change with Moore looking to change zip codes, but instead building momentum under a head coach who truly considers Pullman home and wants to stay to see the rebuild of the program through.
