Former Oklahoma star Brandon Moore hired as head coach for the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is hiring Brandon Moore from the Colorado School of the Mines to be the next head coach for the Toreros football program, Pete Thamel of ESPN reported on Wednesday evening. Moore found great success recently with the Colorado School of the Mines, where he developed their defense into one of the best in the nation.

Last season was Moore’s first year as head coach for the Orediggers and it was a historic one, as he led them to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship Game. Mines won 13 games to get there, winning the program’s second consecutive NCAA Super Region IV title and fourth consecutive RMAC championship along the way. The 13 wins were the most in program history for the Orediggers and they completed just the third undefeated RMAC season (9-0) in the modern era. Moore was also named the Division III Coach of the Year.

San Diego plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, and one of their most famous former head coaches is current Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. He guided the Toreros to a 22-2 overall record during his final two years there (2004-2006), including back-to-back Pioneer League titles.

As a player, Moore played for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was a part of their 2001 team that brought home the national title. He went on to spend seven years in the National Football League, appearing in 90 games. He played part of the 2010 season with the LA Chargers, then returned to the franchise as a minority coaching intern in 2018.

He began his coaching career with Scottsdale Community College, where he was the linebackers coach for the Fighting Artichokes. Moore joined the Colorado School of Mines in 2016. Since he joined the staff, the Orediggers won five conference titles.

Brandon Moore talks about his new position for USD

Moore, 44 years old, expressed his excitement about the new job in The San Diego Tribune. “We are looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to be a part of the winning tradition at the University of San Diego,” he said. “The university’s commitment to academic success, the stunning campus, and the decades-long athletic department success presents an ideal place to call home. I’m grateful to the long list of USD players, coaches, and staff that have built the football program into national prominence and look forward to continuing the climb. We can’t wait to get started.”