Why Washington State, Kirby Moore don’t owe Missouri football a buyout
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Neither former Missouri football offensive coordinator Kirby Moore nor Washington State will owe Missouri any money in liquidated damages for terminating the coordinator’s contract with Mizzou before its end date.
As of Friday afternoon, Moore is longer the offensive playcaller for the Tigers, ending a three-year stint in Columbia as he returned to his home state to become the head coach at Wazzu.
Per Moore’s most recent contract, signed shortly before the Tigers beat Ohio State in the 2023 Cotton Bowl after a tremendous first season as Mizzou’s offensive playcaller, Moore is signed with the Tigers through January, 2027.
Typically, when a coach leaves for another job — known as terminating the deal without cause — then there is a buyout fee owed to the previous employer.
But, Moore is avoiding a $1 million liquidated damages fee because of a clause in his contract.
Under Section 6.4.1.1 of his contract, Moore “shall owe no liquidated damages to the University if (he) accepts a position as a head coach at any institution of higher education in the United States.”
Taking the job with Washington State triggers that clause.
Similarly, if Moore had taken a job as a coordinator in the NFL, which was briefly discussed this past February when his brother, Kellen Moore, took over as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, then he would have owed any money in liquidated damages. His buyout also would have been nixed if Eli Drinkwitz left MU.
If Moore had left for any other reason in 2025, per his deal, then he would have owed Missouri $1 million.
Moore earned $1.5 million in total pay per year to call plays for the Tigers in 2025, which is $250,000 more than Rogers made as the head coach at Washington State this year, per USA Today’s coaching salary database.
The details of Moore’s new contract at Washington State are not currently available.
Moore officially will be introduced as the Cougars’ next head coach with a press conference Tuesday, per the university.
Next season, the Pac-12 is expanding from just Wazzu and Oregon State to eight football-playing members, with the likes of Boise State and Texas State set to join the conference.
“I’m honored and excited to join Washington State University as its new head football coach,” Moore said in a news release. “Becoming a first-time head coach at a special place like Washington State is a dream come true for my family and I. I want to thank President (Elizabeth) Cantwell and Jon Haarlow for the opportunity to return home and continue the proud tradition of Cougar football. The future of our program is bright. I look forward to leading this team and making our state proud.
“Our commitment to excellence will be evident on the field and in the community, while competing for championships. We can’t wait to get on the Palouse and get to work. Go Cougs!”
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Why Washington State, Kirby Moore don’t owe Missouri football buyout
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos