PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State football officially opens fall camp Thursday, beginning the first season under new head coach Kirby Moore. We sat down with Moore during WSU Media Day to discuss the excitement surrounding camp, roster competition and what he wants the Cougars to become in 2026.
SAM KIRK: You’ve been here since December. New field, new locker room and a lot of new energy around the program. What’s it been like so far?
KIRBY MOORE: “Really excited. Super grateful to be back in the Northwest every day. Our administration has been incredibly supportive. You’ve seen the new locker room, the new lights for the games, and our players have bought into what we’re trying to accomplish. We’re excited to start on Thursday.”
SK: Fall camp is finally here. Is this the time of year when it starts to feel like football is really back?
KM: “There’s a lot more access in college football now. There are workouts and time together in June, but there’s no substitute for practice. Helmets on, 11-on-11 and contact. We can’t wait to get to work with our guys.”
SK: You brought in plenty of transfers, but you also retained a large group of returning players. How important has that balance been?
KM: “The 57 guys who decided to stay already had an established culture. It’s my job as the head coach to steer it in a specific direction. We kept 11 starters from the bowl game, then added pieces from the transfer portal. We also have a leadership group of 15 guys who have really helped set the standard.”
SK: There seems to be competition at quarterback and wide receiver. How do you expect those battles to play out during camp?
KM: “The quarterback position and the quarterback himself will present himself to the team during fall camp. Everyone will know when the time comes. I think there’s a lot of depth at receiver and really across the roster. Once we get into game week we’ll establish our two-deep, but until then it’s about improving and everyone chasing their personal best.”
SK: Defensively, what identity do you want this team to have?
KM: “It’s attacking. It’s playing hard every single snap. People should put on the tape and say, ‘Whoa.’ I think our guys have bought into Coach Bray’s philosophy quickly.”
SK: Looking back to when you arrived in December, what’s the biggest difference now, and what do you still want to accomplish before Week 1?
KM: “It’s everyone getting familiar with each other. Players to players, coaches to coaches, coaches to players. Everyone understanding the expectation and the standard of what we want to look like. That’s something we’re all going to attack this fall.”
Washington State opens fall camp Thursday as the Cougars begin preparations for Moore’s first season leading the program.
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