Missouri’s offseason upheaval has intensified as former offensive coordinator Kirby Moore continues to reshape his coaching staff at Washington State by bringing two familiar faces with him from Columbia, creating immediate challenges for head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
After taking over as head coach in Pullman, Moore is expected to hire Missouri tight ends coach Derham Cato, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Cato worked closely with Moore for the past three seasons at Missouri and was instrumental in transforming the Tigers’ tight end unit into a productive and reliable part of the offense.
Washington State is also set to bring in Missouri assistant offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie as its new offensive line coach, per reports from Chris Hummer. Abercrombie, who was in his second stint with the program, played a significant role in developing NFL-caliber linemen such as Armand Membou and Javon Foster, making his departure another notable loss for the Tigers.
Cato joined Missouri in 2022 following coaching stops at Dartmouth, Maine, Vanderbilt, and Washington. Under his leadership, a tight end group that once struggled for production became a strength, highlighted by the emergence of Bret Norfleet as a key passing target. Abercrombie’s steady presence along the offensive line further reinforced Missouri’s reputation for player development.
Including Moore, Missouri has now lost three coaches since the conclusion of the regular season, dramatically increasing the workload for Drinkwitz and his staff during a critical period. With multiple coaching vacancies to fill and at least 10 players expected to enter the transfer portal, the Tigers face a demanding and pivotal offseason.
Missouri will look to maintain its focus on the field as it prepares to face Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27, while behind the scenes, Drinkwitz works to stabilize his staff ahead of the transfer portal reopening on Jan. 2.
