How Isaiah Moore’s experience at Cardinal Gibbons set the foundation for his stint as NC State’s interim linebackers coach

Isaiah Moore walked into NC State's Close-King Indoor Practice Facility lobby with a wide smile. Dressed in a black short sleeve sweatshirt with a script Wolfpack logo, a red long sleeve underneath to match his sweatpants and a baseball cap, Moore’s outfit signaled the next step of his football journey.  The last time he stood at the same podium, he was one of the Wolfpack’s defensive leaders on the field — a three-time recipient of the No. 1 jersey, which is hand picked by coach Dave Doeren for a player that embodies what it means to be on the team. But this time, he didn’t have to worry about taking off his helmet or pads.  Moore, who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in 2023, saw his playing days come to an end through injury. Although that cut his football career short, Moore quickly pivoted. He returned to NC State to join the Pack’s recruiting staff in a part-time role before helping the team’s defense as an extra set of eyes this fall.  Now, after gaining experience under defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who left to become Marshall’s head coach earlier this month, Moore was elevated to NC State’s interim linebackers coach for its Military Bowl appearance against East Carolina on Dec. 28. “I don’t take it for granted. It’s a big responsibility, and I do think I’m ready for it,” Moore said after the Pack’s second practice in his new role. “It definitely means a lot to me. What better opportunity to be able to coach at your university, the position you played under the coach you played for. There’s no other storybook that you could tell.” While Moore, 25, is one of the youngest position coaches in all of FBS for the month in his acting role, this isn’t a coincidence that Doeren picked him to lead the position group he played in just as recently as two seasons ago. He was meant to be in front of that meeting room. “He loves this sport, he loves the program, so it was a natural [fit],” Doeren said. “I knew when he was a player, when it was time, that this is where we’d want him — somewhere in our program helping us win.” Even though he is just a couple seasons removed from playing, Moore isn’t inexperienced when it comes to coaching. A full season as an assistant coach at nearby Cardinal Gibbons High, which is situated across the street from Carter-Finley Stadium, during his NC State career prepared Moore for this moment.  That brief time on staff with the Crusaders provided a window into what Moore is like as a coach, and why some believe he’s a rising star in the coaching profession.