Kirby Moore’s First Impressions at Washington State: A Fresh Face with a Clear Vision
If you tuned into Kirby Moore’s introductory press conference at Washington State, you probably noticed it right away: this guy has a presence. Not in a flashy, headline-chasing kind of way, but in the way that makes you think, “Okay, this guy gets it.” At just 35 years old, Moore steps into the head coaching role with the kind of energy and clarity that programs in transition desperately need.
There’s a quiet confidence to Moore - no gimmicks, no empty promises. He came prepared, hit the key talking points, and managed to do it without sounding like he was reading from a script.
It was all business, but not without a sense of purpose. You could hear it in the way he talked about expectations, about culture, and especially about opportunity.
And that word - opportunity - might be the most important one in Pullman right now.
A New Era, A New Conference, A New Identity
Moore didn’t spend time rehashing the past, and that’s probably a smart move. Cougar fans have been through the wringer lately - three head coaches in four years, each departure leaving behind a mix of frustration and fatigue.
The temptation is always there to ask, *“Is this just another stop on the way to something bigger?” *
But Moore didn’t feed into that narrative. Instead, he pointed toward the future, framing the Pac-12’s realignment not as a loss, but as a chance to build something new - and maybe even dominant.
It was a subtle but effective way to shift the conversation. Yes, the landscape is changing.
But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, in Moore’s view, it could be the best thing to happen to Washington State football in years.
He’s not wrong. With so much turnover across the program - a new head coach, a new staff, a new university president, and an interim athletic director - there’s a blank canvas feel to it all. That kind of clean slate doesn’t come around often in college football, and Moore seems ready to take full advantage.
No Guarantees, Just Grit
Let’s be clear: Moore doesn’t come with a long resume as a head coach. In fact, he doesn’t come with any head coaching experience.
But that doesn’t mean he’s unprepared. He’s been around successful programs, learned from respected names in the game, and he’s got deep ties to the region - he grew up in Prosser, Washington.
That matters.
Still, this is a massive leap. Being a coordinator and being a head coach are two very different jobs.
One is about schemes and matchups; the other is about managing people, culture, pressure, and everything in between. There’s no way to know for sure how Moore will handle that transition, but early signs point to a coach who understands the moment and isn’t trying to be anything he’s not.
And maybe most importantly, the players seem to be buying in.
Zevi Eckhaus: The Voice of the Locker Room
If you want to know how a team feels about a new hire, listen to the quarterback. Zevi Eckhaus, who will wrap up his WSU career in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, didn’t hold back when asked about Moore: “I think everybody’s pretty fired up about him.”
That’s not nothing. Eckhaus has earned his stripes in Pullman.
When last year’s head coach left just before the Holiday Bowl and a third of the team hit the transfer portal, it was Eckhaus who stepped up. He led a shorthanded Cougar squad into a bowl game against a heavily favored Syracuse team and gave everything he had.
In an era where opt-outs are common and loyalty is rare, that kind of leadership stands out.
He’s seen the highs and lows of Cougar football up close. So when he talks about the “special bond” that defines the WSU community, you believe him.
It’s not just sentiment - it’s lived experience. He’s been through the storm and still speaks with pride about what it means to wear the crimson and gray.
Moore would be wise to keep Eckhaus close, whether as a grad assistant or just as someone who can help bridge the gap between the old and the new. That kind of institutional knowledge - that kind of heart - is invaluable.
Winning Over the Skeptics
Let’s not pretend everyone was on board from the jump. The live stream of Moore’s press conference had its fair share of skeptics in the chat.
Some were already bracing for the next departure. Others questioned why they should continue donating to the Coug Collective if coaches keep walking out the door.
But as Moore spoke, the tone began to shift. One comment summed it up well: “Geez, we need to dial it back a bit and see what the new guy can do. IMHO.”
That’s the thing about college football - hope never really dies. It just lies dormant, waiting for someone like Moore to give it a reason to wake up again.
The Path Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: this is a pivotal moment for Washington State football. The program is rebuilding on multiple fronts, navigating a new conference landscape, and trying to reestablish its identity in a rapidly evolving college football world.
But with Kirby Moore at the helm, there’s a sense - however cautious - that the Cougars might be heading in the right direction.
He’s young. He’s driven.
He’s rooted in the region. And he’s not trying to win the press conference with bravado or buzzwords.
He’s trying to build something that lasts.
And for Cougar Nation, that’s a pretty good place to start.