KIRBY MOORE SAYS becoming a first-time head football coach “at a special place like Washington State is a dream come true for my family and I.” He’s not the only one talking about it. His ascension in Cougarville is drawing commentary from near and far. Here’s a sampling of what they’re saying …

Chris Petersen, former Boise State and UW head coach: WSU just hired an outstanding person. Kirby Moore has the intelligence, temperament and character to be an excellent head coach. He comes from a wonderful football family and always seemed a step ahead when it came to strategy and tactics of the game. I have known Kirby for many years and have had the pleasure of watching him grow into an exceptional coach. His former teammates, staff members and players have always respected his football intellect, his coaching abilities but most importantly, who he is as a person. Well done Cougs, you just got one heck of a coach.

Kirby Moore, new WSU football coach: Becoming a first-time head coach at a special place like Washington State is a dream come true for my family and I.  

Zach Sweet, Columbia Missourian: Moore played a major role in shaping Missouri’s offense during a stretch that included an 11-win season, a Cotton Bowl victory and the rise of multiple star players. His exit creates the most important opening of the offseason for the Tigers and sends him back to the state where he first built his football identity.

Chris Vannini and Bruce Feldman, The Athletic: Since Moore arrived at Missouri, the Tigers are 29-9, including an 11-win season in 2023 with a Cotton Bowl victory and a 10-3 season last year. This year’s team is 8-4, in part due to quarterback Beau Pribula missing a month of the season with an ankle injury. But the Tigers were No. 1 in rushing in the SEC and fourth in third-down offense.

Mike Vorel, The Seattle Times: This state, and this sport, are both in his blood. None of which means he’ll succeed as the next head coach at Washington State. But the Cougs needed someone who understands the state and can inject pride and passion into a program rocked by realignment. They needed someone who wants to be here, to build here, even if WSU is a rung on a larger ladder.

They needed someone who can recruit at a place like Prosser High — who sees this place as a prize, not an island college football forgot.They needed someone to believe in, a stabilizer. A Coug in more places than a polo and a paycheck. Kirby Moore, whose hire was made official Friday, embodies those boxes.

Bruce Amundson, WSU Murrow Hall of Famer and major athletics donor: Initially I was concerned that we had set ourselves up for another one-and-done coach by hiring another young up-and-comer. In my mind I was looking for someone who could potentially provide more stability. But the more I look at the hire the more excited I’m becoming. Others can speak more intelligently to his abilities, but to me his coaching roots and experience in the SEC says he’s going to take recruiting up a notch and he certainly did wonders at Missouri with its offense. So we have an excellent chance to dominate the new Pac-12.

It was also encouraging to see President Cantwell immediately start setting the tone by encouraging support for our NIL and laying out the importance of a strong athletic program for the overall health of the University. I certainly don’t expect him to be here forever, but Coug fans also have a chance to make it difficult for him to leave if they support him through donations and getting their butts into the seats at Martin Stadium. I’m looking forward to hearing about his vision for Cougar football when he’s introduced and to see the staff he builds. Hopefully it’s equally exciting to the players and we’re able to keep enough to provide a solid core for the 2026 season.

Related: Instant reaction from WSU luminaries to Kirby Moore’s hiring 

Dave Boling: The Spokesman-Review: From the outside, Friday’s hiring of the former Missouri offensive coordinator looks like a victory for the Cougars.Especially considering there’s a new corps of administrators pulling the levers of power in Pullman, they got it done quickly, without any unproductive flirtations and rejections coming to light … 

His family ties to Washington can at least be pointed to as a hiring of a coach with roots to the region. Some fans voiced that as a requisite, believing it might give the coach more reasons to stay put. And if he is followed by the customary influx of portal additions seeking new opportunities with a coach they’re accustomed to, they’ll be athletes coming from an SEC school, not off FBS rosters.

WSU President Betsy Cantwell: Coach Moore is the real deal, and exactly who we needed to propel us to the top of the new Pac-12. Our student-athletes have lucked out. This man cares deeply not only about winning, but their success on and off the field. We look forward to welcoming Coach Moore and his family to Pullman, and to Coug Nation. Join me in wrapping Coach Moore in Cougar Pride. Go Cougs!

(Photo: WSU Athletics)

Nick Geranious, Washington State Standard: The Washington State University football coach is one of the highest-paid public employees in the state. Yet WSU is bringing aboard its fourth head coach since 2020 … The question now is whether Moore’s tenure will be different and usher in a new era of stability.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz: We couldn’t be happier for Kirby and his family. He has done an excellent job for us, and we are excited to see him get the well-deserved opportunity to run his own program at Washington State. Kirby has an excellent grasp on what it takes to be a successful head coach whether it is coaching, recruiting or developing players. We truly appreciate all that he has done to contribute to the success we’ve had at Mizzou and wish him the best with the Cougars.

Mike McDaniel, SI.com: Despite a rotating door at quarterback this season, Missouri managed to rank 27th nationally in total offense, averaging 429.3 yards per game. The Tigers also held the 32nd-ranked scoring offense in the FBS, averaging 32.2 points per game under Moore’s direction.

NOTABLE: Vorel of the Times unearthed some fabulous statistical information on Moore’s sterling career as a high school receiver, writing, “He broke a national record with 95 career touchdown catches in four unprecedented seasons (2005-08) at Prosser High School, helping the Mustangs to a state title in 2007. His 29 receiving touchdowns that season set a state record … that he broke with 34 more the following fall.

Kirby Moore coaching at Fresno State (Photo: Fresno State)