Kirby Moore Just Told 600 Cougs Exactly What He's Building at Washington State
Kirby Moore stepped on stage in front of a packed house of Cougar faithful in Seattle on Saturday night and laid out his vision for 2026, and honestly, the energy in Victory Hall at The Boxyard was electric. The first-year Washington State football coach, along with defensive coordinator Trent Bray and offensive coordinator Matt Miller, didn't hold back about what they want to build in Pullman.
"We want to chase our dreams, we want to develop an elite edge, and we want to play and compete for a Pac-12 championship," Moore told the crowd of 600. But here's the thing that stuck: he made it clear that chasing championships starts with maximizing every single day. "We've got to focus on what is right in front of us, focus on maximizing each and every day, every workout, meeting, practice," Moore said.
Moore's Got His Squad Locked In
One of the biggest wins for Moore in his first months on the job? He kept 57 WSU players from bolting during the transfer portal window, including 11 starters. That's huge when you're building a new culture. Moore also made it personal. His dad coached high school football at Prosser starting in 1986, and Kirby grew up coming to Cougar spring practices. He remembers watching legends like Mike Price and Bill Doba work, and seeing Robb Akey yelling across the sideline. His wife Kayla is from Prosser, and her parents live in Palouse, about seven miles from campus. This job isn't just another gig for Moore. He said it straight: "I can't think I want (this) enough."
Miller's Bringing the Attitude, Bray's Bringing the Pressure
Offensive coordinator Matt Miller got the crowd fired up talking about his game plan. "We're going to be an attacking offense, we're going to be multiple, we're going to be physical," Miller said. "When you cut us open, when you see us bleed, that's what we're going to be about!" Miller confirmed a three-man QB competition with UC Davis transfer and 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Caden Pinnick, dual-threat second-year Coug Julian Dugger, and second-year freshman Owen Eshelman all in the mix. All three are high-quality guys, Miller said, and he's going to get his best playmakers touching the ball, develop receivers into relentless blockers downfield, and make sure his quarterback gets that yard on fourth and one.
Defensive coordinator Trent Bray echoed the attacking theme, saying his secondary is going to play hands on and disrupt opposing receivers. He wants his defensive linemen playing vertical to make life miserable for quarterbacks. His inside linebackers? They should be gunning for 100-plus tackles. Spring practices start March 26, with road workouts in Pasco on March 28 and Spokane on April 4. The Crimson and Gray Game wraps spring ball on April 25.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.