Washington State Turns the Page Again - This Time with Kirby Moore and a Promising Young QB at the Helm
For the second straight offseason, Washington State football is starting fresh under a new head coach. This time, it’s Kirby Moore, the former Missouri offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, stepping into the spotlight in Pullman. And while the Cougars are once again navigating change, there’s a clear sense of direction - and it starts with a young quarterback who’s already turning heads.
Enter Caden Pinnick.
The dual-threat quarterback arrives at WSU after a breakout freshman season at UC Davis, where he led the Aggies to a 9-4 record and an FCS quarterfinal appearance. Pinnick’s numbers speak volumes: over 3,200 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and a near-70% completion rate. Add in 437 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, and you’ve got a quarterback who can hurt defenses in more ways than one.
But it’s not just the stat sheet that has Moore excited - it’s the potential.
“His mobility is a bonus for third-and-short and red-zone situations,” Moore said Wednesday. “When you have a guy who can make things happen with his feet, it puts stress on the defense and opens up more opportunities for everyone else.”
That kind of versatility is exactly what Moore looks for in a quarterback. During his time at Fresno State, Moore helped mold Jake Haener into one of the most efficient passers in program history.
At Missouri, he played a pivotal role in Brady Cook’s development. Now, he’s got a new project - and a new opportunity - in Pinnick.
“You look at Caden Pinnick, the impact that he had there as a freshman at UC Davis,” Moore said. “Right away when Caden went in the portal, you’re evaluating the film, you see his versatility. Obviously, you know he can throw the ball and make a variety of throws, as well as extend plays every once in a while.”
That blend of arm talent and athleticism gives Moore a lot to work with. But what might be even more important is Moore’s willingness to adapt - something he learned firsthand during his time at Missouri.
When he first arrived in Columbia, he tried to install many of the same passing concepts he’d used at Fresno State. Quarterback Brady Cook wasn’t feeling it.
“At that moment I had to drop my ego,” Moore admitted. “It’s about the quarterback and what he’s comfortable with because he’s got to make the throws.”
That approach - tailoring the offense to the quarterback, not the other way around - bodes well for Pinnick. The freshman showed poise beyond his years at UC Davis, and now he’ll have a chance to grow under a coach who knows how to bring out the best in his signal-callers.
As spring ball approaches, the focus will be on chemistry - between Moore and Pinnick, between Pinnick and his new teammates, and between the Cougars and a reimagined Pac-12. There’s still plenty to sort out, but one thing’s clear: Washington State is betting big on a new era, and they’ve got a quarterback who just might be ready to lead it.