FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has been invariably linked to the vacant Boise State head coach position. Moore set many school records and became one of the winningest quarterbacks in college football history at BSU and with the success the young innovative coach has had in Dallas, it is only fitting that his name is synonymous to the role.
He set the NCAA record with 50 career wins during his four seasons with the Broncos, all doing so without the typical desired stature and speed for a QB. He is a bonified “King” of Boise and now could be the next head coach for his alma matter that birthed his desire to coach and success on the gridiron.
“Both of my parents are teachers, so I was really around education and sports,” Moore described to media during a weekly conference call. “Those are the things that influenced me and molded me. I always probably leaned that way. You never really know. I think probably college is when you start molding those things, when you have to start making decisions of education, college degrees, programs life after football. I think I was fortunate at Boise to be around some of the best coaches in the entire country. I think once I got there and was around those people, I think that’s where it kind of confirmed to me that I want to do this coaching thing.”
Football runs in Moore’s veins. His dad was a high school football coach that exposed him to the game at a young age and the love affair began. He grew up on the sideline under the Friday night lights watching his father coach and gaining a unique knowledge and passion for the game that turned into incessantly studying film and writing down plays on napkins.
“Certainly, being around it as a little kid, my dad was a high school coach forever,” Moore described. “Shoot, first grade I was the tee boy and worked my way up to ball boy. I was on the sideline every Friday night, being around those guys as much as I could. Those were my influences growing up.”
His enthusiasm for the game is what puts him as a front runner for the open position and has no doubt attributed to his success as an offensive coordinator in the NFL game planning around injuries in 2020 and tapping into the different skillset of multiple quarterbacks, a makeshift offensive line, and a running back duo in the backfield. But Moore’s relatability and motivational nature is what has endeared him to Dallas’ offense.
Moore’s combine roommate and former NFL running back, Davin Meggett told D210SPORTS, “When you want someone else to succeed, that’s what head coaching leadership looks like to me. I’ve had awesome NFL head coaches: Gary Kubiak, Chuck Pagano, Jason Garrett, and Mike Shannahan. I was in the meeting rooms with Sean McVay, Kyle Shannahan, and Matt Lafleur, and every one of these men had that knack for wanting what’s best for their guys. Kellen displayed that in our short three-day experience. I cheered for him as a player and now as a coach.”
Like Moore, Meggett decided to throw in the cleats and become a coach/teacher. He noted to D210 why he has the utmost confidence that Moore is not only suited for the Boise State job, but the reason he will be an outstanding head coach in the future regardless of how this current situation plays out.
“In my experience, great coaches build relationships, lead, motivate, and adjust the formula of team to fit the people in the program. When that’s gelled together, wins come, and lives are changed.”
Moore has certainly garnered the respect and praise from peers at the pro level and now has the opportunity to lead at the college ranks. It is no secret that the Boise head coach job is one that has been a “dream” for Moore over the years and there is a very realistic possibility that the Cowboys could soon be looking for a replacement.
“Obviously Boise is a unique one for me, special to me,” Moore stated. “I love that place. Obviously just going through the process right now. I’m just focused on this game. We’ll kind of let all this stuff play out and see where it takes us.”
