Football
Moorhead, Joe
Joe Moorhead
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
One of the nation’s top offensive-minds and an elite recruiter, Joe Moorhead enters his second season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on head coach Mario Cristobal’s staff.
Moorhead has called played plays 13 of the last 14 seasons, including the last nine, with stops as head coach at Mississippi State (2018-19) and Fordham (2012-15), while serving as the offensive coordinator at Oregon (2020), Penn State (2016-17), Connecticut (2009-11) and Akron (2006-08) over that span. He has been the play-caller for five programs that have won a conference championship, including Oregon (2020), Penn State (2016), Fordham (2014), Connecticut (2010) and Akron (2005).
Before joining the Oregon staff, he spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at Mississippi State, becoming just the second coach in program history to lead the Bulldogs to bowl games in each of his first two seasons. Prior to MSU, Moorhead spent a pair of seasons at Penn State earning national offensive coordinator of the year honors after both seasons.
Moorhead has coached, developed and mentored 20 players that have been selected in the last five NFL Drafts. Included in those 20 selections are four first-round picks and 12 in the top three rounds, highlighted by New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. Moorhead’s offensive helped Barkley rack up over 4,300 all-purpose yards in two seasons en route to being taken second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft before earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Oregon (2020-present)
In his first season with the Ducks, Moorhead helped lead Oregon to its second consecutive Pac-12 Conference championship and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.
Seven Oregon players on the offensive side of the ball earned all-conference recognition from either the Associated Press or the league’s coaches. Quarterback Tyler Shough, in his first year as a starter, claimed second-team honors from the AP under Moorhead’s tutelage.
Four Ducks’ offensive lineman – Ryan Walk, Alex Forsyth, T.J. Bass and Malaesala Amavae-Laulu – claimed Pac-12 all-conference honors with Walk earning first-team accolades from the AP and Forsyth claiming second-team recognition from the coaches. Running back Travis Dye and wide receiver Johnny Johnson III also claimed honorable mention honors.
Mississippi State (2018-19)
Moorhead compiled a 14-12 record over his two seasons as head coach at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs went 2-0 against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and had a pair of ranked wins in the SEC West, which has supplied a team in the CFP Championship Game five straight years.
Moorhead became just the second coach in Bulldog history to reach a bowl game in his first season, guiding State to its first Outback Bowl and the program’s second-highest finish ever in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 18.
Moorhead’s offense led the SEC and finished tied for fourth among Power 5 programs with 16 200-yard rushing performances over his two seasons at the helm. Three of Mississippi State’s eight games in school history with 600 or more yards of offense came under Moorhead.
State’s balanced rushing attack was led by Associated Press first-team all-SEC running back Kylin Hill, who finished third in the conference with 1,350 yards on the ground in 2019. Hill was complemented by quarterback Garrett Shrader, one of three FBS freshman QBs to throw for 1,000 yards and rush for 500 yards, despite playing in just 10 games.
Shrader was the not the first quarterback under Moorhead’s guidance to beat defenses with his arm and his legs. In Moorhead’s first season leading the Bulldogs, senior QB Nick Fitzgerald joined Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray as the only two Power 5 QBs to rush for 1,000 yards. Fitzgerald finished as the SEC’s all-time leader for rushing yards by a quarterback, surpassing Tim Tebow.
State’s No. 1 defense (total defense) in the nation in 2018 produced a program-record four selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, highlighted by three first round picks in Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans – No. 19), Montez Sweat (Washington Football Team – No. 26) and Jonathan Abram (Oakland Raiders – No. 27). The three first round picks in the 2019 draft tied Alabama and Clemson for the most, while Mississippi State was one of 11 FBS programs to produce five or more selections in back-to-back years (2018 & 2019) under Moorhead.
Penn State (2016-17)
Named Sports Illustrated and Yahoo’s No. 1 rising assistant in college football in August 2017, Moorhead transformed Penn State offensively en route to a combined 21-5 record, a 17-3 mark in Big Ten regular-season play, the 2016 Big Ten championship, two New Year’s Six bowls and back-to-back top-10 national rankings under head coach James Franklin.
The Nittany Lion offense exploded under Moorhead, scoring 30 or more points in 21 of the 26 games he coordinated, good for the third-most nationally from 2016-17. Before Moorhead’s arrival, the Nittany Lions ranked No. 100 in scoring offense in 2015; they went on to finish seventh nationally at 39.3 points per game over his two seasons.
Even more impressive, Penn State averaged 38.3 points against Big Ten defenses in 2016 and 2017, when the conference featured seven different programs that finished in the top 25 in scoring defense at least once over those two seasons.
Moorhead’s balanced and explosive offense helped 2018 No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Saquon Barkley total 2,329 all-purpose yards in his final season at Penn State in 2017. Barkley became the first Big Ten running back to claim multiple conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and totaled 4,301 all-purpose yards in two seasons under Moorhead.
Quarterback Trace McSorley added to Penn State’s lethal backfield and became just the second player in conference history with 25 TD passes and 10 rushing TDs. McSorley was also the first player in Penn State history to pass for 3,000 yards in multiple seasons in his two years with Moorhead.
Moorhead’s 2017 offense broke the school records for passing yards (3,772) and points scored (534) set by his 2016 unit. For the second time in his career, Moorhead was recognized as the National Offensive Coordinator of the Year during a Nittany Lions season that was capped with a Fiesta Bowl berth.
The Nittany Lions ranked in the Top 25 nationally in seven different offensive categories, including seventh in points per game (41.1), fifth in third-down conversion percentage (48.0), 14th in passing efficiency (153.6), 17th in yards per play (6.55), 19th in total offense (460.3), 23rd in passing yards per game (290.2) and 21st in red-zone conversion percentage (89.8). They also produced four 50-point games, representing the most in a Penn State season since 1994.
In Moorhead’s first season, Penn State shattered then-school records for total offense (6,056), passing yards (3,650) and points scored (526). He earned National Offensive Coordinator of the Year honors by 247Sports, as the Nittany Lions claimed their first outright Big Ten championship in two decades and a berth in the Rose Bowl. Penn State improved its scoring average by a staggering 14.4 points from 2015 to 2016, which ranked fourth nationally. Penn State leaped 79 spots to No. 21 in scoring offense in Moorhead’s first season and went from No. 105 in total offense to No. 49.
McSorley, in his first season under Moorhead, threw a school-record 29-touchdown passes en route to earning All-Big Ten second-team honors, Big Ten Championship Game MVP and Maxwell Club Tri-State Player of the Year. Barkley was tabbed as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the first for a Nittany Lion in 12 years.
Fordham (2012-15)
Moorhead spent four seasons as the head coach at Fordham before joining the Penn State staff. During his tenure, the Rams compiled a 38-13 record from 2012-15. After inheriting a 1-10 program, Moorhead built Fordham into a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse, leading the Rams to a 12-2 record, the best season in program history in 2013 and the Patriot League title in 2014.
Fordham reached the FCS playoffs the last three seasons under Moorhead’s leadership while compiling a 32-8 record during that stretch.
During the Moorhead era, Fordham reached the highest ranking in program history (No. 5 in 2013) and the highest final ranking in program history (No. 9 in 2013 and 2014), while recording the first two wins over FBS schools in program history and the first two wins over top-10 opponents in school history.
In 2013, Moorhead earned AFCA Regional Co-Coach of the Year and Patriot League Coach of the Year honors after leading Fordham to its first win over an FBS opponent (Temple) and the school’s first two wins over FCS top-10 opponents (Villanova, Lehigh). He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award and the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year.
In 2014, Moorhead led the Rams to their first Patriot League title since 2007 with a perfect 6-0 mark in league play and an 11-3 record overall.
Moorhead coached the 2014 winner of the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman player in the FCS, three consecutive Patriot League Offensive Players of the Year, 11 All-Americans, five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 55 All-Patriot League performers (37 first team, 18 second team) at Fordham.
The Rams were one of the top offensive teams in the FCS during Moorhead’s stint at Fordham, setting 16 school records (individual and team) in 2013 and 2014.
Connecticut (2009-11)
Before taking the helm at his alma mater, Moorhead spent three seasons at Connecticut, including two as the offensive coordinator.
He served as the offensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010, leading an offense that finished second in the Big East Conference in scoring offense and rushing offense in 2010, as the Huskies won the conference title and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma.
Following the season, running back Jordan Todman was named second-team All-America and Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Akron (2004-08)
Prior to Connecticut, Moorhead served as an assistant coach at Akron for five years (2004-08), including the final two as offensive coordinator. Akron was the most improved school in the nation in 2008 in total offense, and it was the sixth-most improved in scoring offense.
Moorhead served as the assistant head coach, pass game and recruiting coordinator on Akron’s only conference championship team in the program’s more than 120-year history in 2005.
The Zips claimed the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division title and then topped Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game to secure the school’s first-ever bowl appearance.
Playing Career and Personal
A graduate of Fordham with a degree in English in 1996, Moorhead was a three-year starter at quarterback and a team captain as a senior. He earned second-team All-Patriot League recognition as a senior, finishing 13th nationally in total offense.
He finished his career with school single-season records for completions and passing yards. Following his collegiate career, Moorhead spent time in the training camp of the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League after playing the 1996 season for the Munich Cowboys of the E.F.A.F.
Moorhead and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: daughter Kyra, and sons Mason and Donovan.
COACHING CAREER
HEAD COACHING RECORD
COACHING HONORS
2013 Patriot League Coach of the Year
2013 AFCA Regional Co-Coach of the Year
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 Pac-12 Conference – Oregon (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2016 Big Ten Conference – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2016 Big Ten East – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2014 Patriot League – Fordham (Head Coach)
2010 BIG EAST – UConn (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2005 MAC – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
2005 MAC East – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
BOWL GAMES
2021 Fiesta Bowl – Oregon (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2019 Music City Bowl – Mississippi State (Head Coach)
2018 Outback Bowl – Mississippi State (Head Coach)
2017 Fiesta Bowl – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2017 Rose Bowl – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2011 Fiesta Bowl – Connecticut (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2009 PapaJohns.com Bowl – Connecticut (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2005 Motor City Bowl – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
FCS PLAYOFFS
2015 First Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
2014 Second Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
2013 Second Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED
2021 (RD 7) DE Marquiss Spencer – Mississippi State – Denver Broncos
2021 (RD 7) RB Kylin Hill – Mississippi State – Green Bay Packers
2020 (RD 2) LB Willie Gay – Mississippi State – Kansas City Chiefs
2020 (RD 3) CB Cameron Dantzler – Mississippi State – Minnesota Vikings
2020 (RD 3) OG Tyre Phillips – Mississippi State – Baltimore Ravens
2020 (RD 7) QB Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State – New Orleans Saints
2020 (RD 7) Brian Cole II – Mississippi State – Minnesota Vikings
2019 (RD 1) DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State – Tennessee Titans
2019 (RD 1) DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State – Washington Redskins
2019 (RD 1) S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State – Oakland Raiders
2019 (RD 2) OL Elgton Jenkins – Mississippi State – Green Bay Packers
2019 (RD 2) RB Miles Sanders – Penn State- Philadelphia Eagles
2019 (RD 3) OG Connor McGovern – Penn State – Dallas Cowboys
2019 (RD 6) DE Gerri Green – Mississippi State – Indianapolis Colts
2019 (RD 6) QB Trace McSorley – Penn State – Baltimore Ravens
2018 (RD 1) RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – New York Giants
2018 (RD 2) TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Miami Dolphins
2018 (RD 4) WR DaeSean Hamilton – Penn State – Denver Broncos
2018 (RD 4) RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Arizona Cardinals
2017 (RD 3) WR Chris Godwin – Penn State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 (RD 6) TE Ryan Griffin – UConn – Houston Texans
2011 (RD 5) FB Anthony Sherman – UConn – Arizona Cardinals
2011 (RD 6) RB Jordan Todman – UConn – San Diego Chargers
2010 (RD 4) WR Marcus Easley – UConn – Buffalo Bills
2007 (RD 3) OG Andy Alleman – Akron – New Orleans Saints
2006 (RD 4) WR Domenik Hixon – Akron – Denver Broncos
2000 (RD 3) DB Hank Poteat – Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Steelers
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS COACHED
2017 Hornung Award – Saquon Barkley – Penn State
2014 Jerry Rice Award – Chase Edmonds – Fordham
ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2018 OL Elgton Jenkins – Mississippi State (The Athletic – 1st)
2018 DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State (FWAA, Sporting News – 1st, AP, CBS, SI – 2nd)
2018 S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State (AFCA, CBS, SI, The Athletic, Sporting News – 2nd, AP – 3rd)
2018 DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State (The Athletic – 2nd, AP – 3rd)
2017 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State (AP, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, Phil Steele, SI, The Athletic – 1st)
2010 RB Jordan Todman – UConn (Sporting News – 1st, AP, Walter Camp – 2nd)
FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2006 WR/KR David Harvey – Akron (Sporting News – 1st)
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR COACHED
2015 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2014 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2013 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2013 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Defensive Player of the Year)
2010 RB Jordon Todman – UConn – BIG East (Player of the Year)
CONFERENCE FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR COACHED
2014 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Rookie of the Year)
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS COACHED
2020 OG Ryan Walk – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 1st)
2020 QB Tyler Shough – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 2nd)
2020 OG T.J. Bass – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 2nd, Coaches HM)
2020 C Alex Forsyth – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – 2nd)
2020 OL Malaesala Amavae-Laulu – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2020 RB Travis Dye – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2020 WR Johnny Johnson III – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2019 RB Kylin Hill – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2019 DE Chauncey Rivers – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2018 S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2018 CB Cameron Dantzler – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2018 OG Deion Calhoun – Mississippi State – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2018 DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State – SEC (AP/Coaches – 1st)
2018 DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State – SEC (AP/Coaches – 1st)
2018 LB Erroll Thompson – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2017 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2017 TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2017 WR DaeSean Hamilton – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2017 QB Trace McSorley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2017 OL Ryan Bates – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 3rd)
2016 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2016 TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2016 Trace McSorley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2016 Chris Godwin – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 3rd)
2015 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 OL Garrick Mayweather – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 DB Jihaad Pretlow – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 K Makay Redd – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 WR Sam Ajala – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DL Brett Biestek – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DB Jordan Champman – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Mason Halter – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 LB Austin Hancock – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 WR Tebucky Jones – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 K Michael Marando – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Garrick Mayweather – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DL DeAndre Slate – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Matt Stolte – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 RS Brian Wetzel – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DB Ian Williams – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 WR Sam Ajala – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DL Brett Biestek – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 OL Tom Fisher – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 RB Carlton Koonce – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 K Michael Marando – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 OL Mason Halter – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DL DeAndre Slate – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DB Ian Williams – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 RB Carlton Koonce – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 LB Michael Martin – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 OL Lloyd Morrison – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 K/P Patrick Murray – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 WR Brian Wetzel – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2010 OG Zach Hurd – UConn – Big East (Coaches – 1st)
2010 C Moe Petrus – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2010 OT Mike Ryan – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2010 RB Jordan Todman - UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 RB Andre Dixon – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 RB Jordan Todman – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 OG Zach Hurd – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2008 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
2008 RB Dennis Kennedy – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2008 WR Deryn Bowser – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2008 WR Andre Jones – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2007 WR Jabari Arthur – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
2007 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2007 RB Bryan Williams – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2006 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2006 RB Dennis Kennedy – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2006 WR David Harvey – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2005 WR Domenik Hixon – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2003 WR Luke McArdle – Georgetown – Patriot League (1st)
1999 DB Hank Poteat – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
1999 S Ramon Walker – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
1999 DL Demond Gibson – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 2nd)
Moorhead has called played plays 13 of the last 14 seasons, including the last nine, with stops as head coach at Mississippi State (2018-19) and Fordham (2012-15), while serving as the offensive coordinator at Oregon (2020), Penn State (2016-17), Connecticut (2009-11) and Akron (2006-08) over that span. He has been the play-caller for five programs that have won a conference championship, including Oregon (2020), Penn State (2016), Fordham (2014), Connecticut (2010) and Akron (2005).
Before joining the Oregon staff, he spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at Mississippi State, becoming just the second coach in program history to lead the Bulldogs to bowl games in each of his first two seasons. Prior to MSU, Moorhead spent a pair of seasons at Penn State earning national offensive coordinator of the year honors after both seasons.
Moorhead has coached, developed and mentored 20 players that have been selected in the last five NFL Drafts. Included in those 20 selections are four first-round picks and 12 in the top three rounds, highlighted by New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. Moorhead’s offensive helped Barkley rack up over 4,300 all-purpose yards in two seasons en route to being taken second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft before earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Oregon (2020-present)
In his first season with the Ducks, Moorhead helped lead Oregon to its second consecutive Pac-12 Conference championship and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.
Seven Oregon players on the offensive side of the ball earned all-conference recognition from either the Associated Press or the league’s coaches. Quarterback Tyler Shough, in his first year as a starter, claimed second-team honors from the AP under Moorhead’s tutelage.
Four Ducks’ offensive lineman – Ryan Walk, Alex Forsyth, T.J. Bass and Malaesala Amavae-Laulu – claimed Pac-12 all-conference honors with Walk earning first-team accolades from the AP and Forsyth claiming second-team recognition from the coaches. Running back Travis Dye and wide receiver Johnny Johnson III also claimed honorable mention honors.
Mississippi State (2018-19)
Moorhead compiled a 14-12 record over his two seasons as head coach at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs went 2-0 against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and had a pair of ranked wins in the SEC West, which has supplied a team in the CFP Championship Game five straight years.
Moorhead became just the second coach in Bulldog history to reach a bowl game in his first season, guiding State to its first Outback Bowl and the program’s second-highest finish ever in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 18.
Moorhead’s offense led the SEC and finished tied for fourth among Power 5 programs with 16 200-yard rushing performances over his two seasons at the helm. Three of Mississippi State’s eight games in school history with 600 or more yards of offense came under Moorhead.
State’s balanced rushing attack was led by Associated Press first-team all-SEC running back Kylin Hill, who finished third in the conference with 1,350 yards on the ground in 2019. Hill was complemented by quarterback Garrett Shrader, one of three FBS freshman QBs to throw for 1,000 yards and rush for 500 yards, despite playing in just 10 games.
Shrader was the not the first quarterback under Moorhead’s guidance to beat defenses with his arm and his legs. In Moorhead’s first season leading the Bulldogs, senior QB Nick Fitzgerald joined Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray as the only two Power 5 QBs to rush for 1,000 yards. Fitzgerald finished as the SEC’s all-time leader for rushing yards by a quarterback, surpassing Tim Tebow.
State’s No. 1 defense (total defense) in the nation in 2018 produced a program-record four selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, highlighted by three first round picks in Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans – No. 19), Montez Sweat (Washington Football Team – No. 26) and Jonathan Abram (Oakland Raiders – No. 27). The three first round picks in the 2019 draft tied Alabama and Clemson for the most, while Mississippi State was one of 11 FBS programs to produce five or more selections in back-to-back years (2018 & 2019) under Moorhead.
Penn State (2016-17)
Named Sports Illustrated and Yahoo’s No. 1 rising assistant in college football in August 2017, Moorhead transformed Penn State offensively en route to a combined 21-5 record, a 17-3 mark in Big Ten regular-season play, the 2016 Big Ten championship, two New Year’s Six bowls and back-to-back top-10 national rankings under head coach James Franklin.
The Nittany Lion offense exploded under Moorhead, scoring 30 or more points in 21 of the 26 games he coordinated, good for the third-most nationally from 2016-17. Before Moorhead’s arrival, the Nittany Lions ranked No. 100 in scoring offense in 2015; they went on to finish seventh nationally at 39.3 points per game over his two seasons.
Even more impressive, Penn State averaged 38.3 points against Big Ten defenses in 2016 and 2017, when the conference featured seven different programs that finished in the top 25 in scoring defense at least once over those two seasons.
Moorhead’s balanced and explosive offense helped 2018 No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Saquon Barkley total 2,329 all-purpose yards in his final season at Penn State in 2017. Barkley became the first Big Ten running back to claim multiple conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and totaled 4,301 all-purpose yards in two seasons under Moorhead.
Quarterback Trace McSorley added to Penn State’s lethal backfield and became just the second player in conference history with 25 TD passes and 10 rushing TDs. McSorley was also the first player in Penn State history to pass for 3,000 yards in multiple seasons in his two years with Moorhead.
Moorhead’s 2017 offense broke the school records for passing yards (3,772) and points scored (534) set by his 2016 unit. For the second time in his career, Moorhead was recognized as the National Offensive Coordinator of the Year during a Nittany Lions season that was capped with a Fiesta Bowl berth.
The Nittany Lions ranked in the Top 25 nationally in seven different offensive categories, including seventh in points per game (41.1), fifth in third-down conversion percentage (48.0), 14th in passing efficiency (153.6), 17th in yards per play (6.55), 19th in total offense (460.3), 23rd in passing yards per game (290.2) and 21st in red-zone conversion percentage (89.8). They also produced four 50-point games, representing the most in a Penn State season since 1994.
In Moorhead’s first season, Penn State shattered then-school records for total offense (6,056), passing yards (3,650) and points scored (526). He earned National Offensive Coordinator of the Year honors by 247Sports, as the Nittany Lions claimed their first outright Big Ten championship in two decades and a berth in the Rose Bowl. Penn State improved its scoring average by a staggering 14.4 points from 2015 to 2016, which ranked fourth nationally. Penn State leaped 79 spots to No. 21 in scoring offense in Moorhead’s first season and went from No. 105 in total offense to No. 49.
McSorley, in his first season under Moorhead, threw a school-record 29-touchdown passes en route to earning All-Big Ten second-team honors, Big Ten Championship Game MVP and Maxwell Club Tri-State Player of the Year. Barkley was tabbed as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the first for a Nittany Lion in 12 years.
Fordham (2012-15)
Moorhead spent four seasons as the head coach at Fordham before joining the Penn State staff. During his tenure, the Rams compiled a 38-13 record from 2012-15. After inheriting a 1-10 program, Moorhead built Fordham into a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse, leading the Rams to a 12-2 record, the best season in program history in 2013 and the Patriot League title in 2014.
Fordham reached the FCS playoffs the last three seasons under Moorhead’s leadership while compiling a 32-8 record during that stretch.
During the Moorhead era, Fordham reached the highest ranking in program history (No. 5 in 2013) and the highest final ranking in program history (No. 9 in 2013 and 2014), while recording the first two wins over FBS schools in program history and the first two wins over top-10 opponents in school history.
In 2013, Moorhead earned AFCA Regional Co-Coach of the Year and Patriot League Coach of the Year honors after leading Fordham to its first win over an FBS opponent (Temple) and the school’s first two wins over FCS top-10 opponents (Villanova, Lehigh). He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award and the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year.
In 2014, Moorhead led the Rams to their first Patriot League title since 2007 with a perfect 6-0 mark in league play and an 11-3 record overall.
Moorhead coached the 2014 winner of the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman player in the FCS, three consecutive Patriot League Offensive Players of the Year, 11 All-Americans, five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 55 All-Patriot League performers (37 first team, 18 second team) at Fordham.
The Rams were one of the top offensive teams in the FCS during Moorhead’s stint at Fordham, setting 16 school records (individual and team) in 2013 and 2014.
Connecticut (2009-11)
Before taking the helm at his alma mater, Moorhead spent three seasons at Connecticut, including two as the offensive coordinator.
He served as the offensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010, leading an offense that finished second in the Big East Conference in scoring offense and rushing offense in 2010, as the Huskies won the conference title and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma.
Following the season, running back Jordan Todman was named second-team All-America and Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Akron (2004-08)
Prior to Connecticut, Moorhead served as an assistant coach at Akron for five years (2004-08), including the final two as offensive coordinator. Akron was the most improved school in the nation in 2008 in total offense, and it was the sixth-most improved in scoring offense.
Moorhead served as the assistant head coach, pass game and recruiting coordinator on Akron’s only conference championship team in the program’s more than 120-year history in 2005.
The Zips claimed the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division title and then topped Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game to secure the school’s first-ever bowl appearance.
Playing Career and Personal
A graduate of Fordham with a degree in English in 1996, Moorhead was a three-year starter at quarterback and a team captain as a senior. He earned second-team All-Patriot League recognition as a senior, finishing 13th nationally in total offense.
He finished his career with school single-season records for completions and passing yards. Following his collegiate career, Moorhead spent time in the training camp of the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League after playing the 1996 season for the Munich Cowboys of the E.F.A.F.
Moorhead and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: daughter Kyra, and sons Mason and Donovan.
COACHING CAREER
| 2020-present | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Oregon |
| 2018-19 | Head Coach | Mississippi State |
| 2016-17 | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Penn State |
| 2012-15 | Head Coach | Fordham |
| 2011 | Quarterbacks | Connecticut |
| 2009-10 | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Connecticut |
| 2006-08 | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Akron |
| 2005 | Assistant Head Coach/WRs/Recruiting Coordinator | Akron |
| 2004 | WRs/Special Teams/Recruiting Coordinator | Akron |
| 2003 | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Georgetown |
| 2002 | Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks | Georgetown |
| 2001 | Quarterbacks | Georgetown |
| 2000 | Running Backs | Georgetown |
| 1999 | Graduate Assistant/Defense | Pittsburgh |
| 1998 | Graduate Assistant/Recruiting | Pittsburgh |
HEAD COACHING RECORD
| Year | School | Record |
| 2012 | Fordham | 6-5 |
| 2013 | Fordham | 12-2 |
| 2014 | Fordham | 11-3 |
| 2015 | Fordham | 9-3 |
| 2018 | Mississippi State | 8-5 |
| 2019 | Mississippi State | 6-7 |
| TOTAL | 6 Years | 52-25 |
COACHING HONORS
2013 Patriot League Coach of the Year
2013 AFCA Regional Co-Coach of the Year
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 Pac-12 Conference – Oregon (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2016 Big Ten Conference – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2016 Big Ten East – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2014 Patriot League – Fordham (Head Coach)
2010 BIG EAST – UConn (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2005 MAC – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
2005 MAC East – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
BOWL GAMES
2021 Fiesta Bowl – Oregon (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2019 Music City Bowl – Mississippi State (Head Coach)
2018 Outback Bowl – Mississippi State (Head Coach)
2017 Fiesta Bowl – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2017 Rose Bowl – Penn State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2011 Fiesta Bowl – Connecticut (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2009 PapaJohns.com Bowl – Connecticut (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2005 Motor City Bowl – Akron (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
FCS PLAYOFFS
2015 First Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
2014 Second Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
2013 Second Round – Fordham (Head Coach)
NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED
2021 (RD 7) DE Marquiss Spencer – Mississippi State – Denver Broncos
2021 (RD 7) RB Kylin Hill – Mississippi State – Green Bay Packers
2020 (RD 2) LB Willie Gay – Mississippi State – Kansas City Chiefs
2020 (RD 3) CB Cameron Dantzler – Mississippi State – Minnesota Vikings
2020 (RD 3) OG Tyre Phillips – Mississippi State – Baltimore Ravens
2020 (RD 7) QB Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State – New Orleans Saints
2020 (RD 7) Brian Cole II – Mississippi State – Minnesota Vikings
2019 (RD 1) DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State – Tennessee Titans
2019 (RD 1) DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State – Washington Redskins
2019 (RD 1) S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State – Oakland Raiders
2019 (RD 2) OL Elgton Jenkins – Mississippi State – Green Bay Packers
2019 (RD 2) RB Miles Sanders – Penn State- Philadelphia Eagles
2019 (RD 3) OG Connor McGovern – Penn State – Dallas Cowboys
2019 (RD 6) DE Gerri Green – Mississippi State – Indianapolis Colts
2019 (RD 6) QB Trace McSorley – Penn State – Baltimore Ravens
2018 (RD 1) RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – New York Giants
2018 (RD 2) TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Miami Dolphins
2018 (RD 4) WR DaeSean Hamilton – Penn State – Denver Broncos
2018 (RD 4) RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Arizona Cardinals
2017 (RD 3) WR Chris Godwin – Penn State – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 (RD 6) TE Ryan Griffin – UConn – Houston Texans
2011 (RD 5) FB Anthony Sherman – UConn – Arizona Cardinals
2011 (RD 6) RB Jordan Todman – UConn – San Diego Chargers
2010 (RD 4) WR Marcus Easley – UConn – Buffalo Bills
2007 (RD 3) OG Andy Alleman – Akron – New Orleans Saints
2006 (RD 4) WR Domenik Hixon – Akron – Denver Broncos
2000 (RD 3) DB Hank Poteat – Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Steelers
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS COACHED
2017 Hornung Award – Saquon Barkley – Penn State
2014 Jerry Rice Award – Chase Edmonds – Fordham
ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2018 OL Elgton Jenkins – Mississippi State (The Athletic – 1st)
2018 DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State (FWAA, Sporting News – 1st, AP, CBS, SI – 2nd)
2018 S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State (AFCA, CBS, SI, The Athletic, Sporting News – 2nd, AP – 3rd)
2018 DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State (The Athletic – 2nd, AP – 3rd)
2017 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State (AP, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, Phil Steele, SI, The Athletic – 1st)
2010 RB Jordan Todman – UConn (Sporting News – 1st, AP, Walter Camp – 2nd)
FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS COACHED
2006 WR/KR David Harvey – Akron (Sporting News – 1st)
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR COACHED
2015 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2014 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2013 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Offensive Player of the Year)
2013 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Defensive Player of the Year)
2010 RB Jordon Todman – UConn – BIG East (Player of the Year)
CONFERENCE FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR COACHED
2014 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Rookie of the Year)
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS COACHED
2020 OG Ryan Walk – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 1st)
2020 QB Tyler Shough – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 2nd)
2020 OG T.J. Bass – Oregon – Pac-12 (AP – 2nd, Coaches HM)
2020 C Alex Forsyth – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – 2nd)
2020 OL Malaesala Amavae-Laulu – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2020 RB Travis Dye – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2020 WR Johnny Johnson III – Oregon – Pac-12 (Coaches – HM)
2019 RB Kylin Hill – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2019 DE Chauncey Rivers – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2018 S Jonathan Abram – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 1st, Coaches – 2nd)
2018 CB Cameron Dantzler – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2018 OG Deion Calhoun – Mississippi State – SEC (Coaches – 2nd)
2018 DT Jeffery Simmons – Mississippi State – SEC (AP/Coaches – 1st)
2018 DE Montez Sweat – Mississippi State – SEC (AP/Coaches – 1st)
2018 LB Erroll Thompson – Mississippi State – SEC (AP – 2nd)
2017 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2017 TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2017 WR DaeSean Hamilton – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2017 QB Trace McSorley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2017 OL Ryan Bates – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 3rd)
2016 RB Saquon Barkley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 1st)
2016 TE Mike Gesicki – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2016 Trace McSorley – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 2nd)
2016 Chris Godwin – Penn State – Big Ten (Coaches – 3rd)
2015 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 OL Garrick Mayweather – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 DB Jihaad Pretlow – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2015 K Makay Redd – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 WR Sam Ajala – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DL Brett Biestek – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DB Jordan Champman – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 RB Chase Edmonds – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Mason Halter – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 LB Austin Hancock – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 WR Tebucky Jones – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 K Michael Marando – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Garrick Mayweather – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DL DeAndre Slate – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 OL Matt Stolte – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 RS Brian Wetzel – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2014 DB Ian Williams – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 WR Sam Ajala – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DL Brett Biestek – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 OL Tom Fisher – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 LB Stephen Hodge – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 RB Carlton Koonce – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 K Michael Marando – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 QB Mike Nebrich – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 OL Mason Halter – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DL DeAndre Slate – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2013 DB Ian Williams – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 RB Carlton Koonce – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 TE Dan Light – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 LB Michael Martin – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 OL Lloyd Morrison – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 K/P Patrick Murray – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2012 WR Brian Wetzel – Fordham – Patriot League (Coaches – 1st)
2010 OG Zach Hurd – UConn – Big East (Coaches – 1st)
2010 C Moe Petrus – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2010 OT Mike Ryan – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2010 RB Jordan Todman - UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 RB Andre Dixon – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 RB Jordan Todman – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2009 OG Zach Hurd – UConn – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
2008 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
2008 RB Dennis Kennedy – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2008 WR Deryn Bowser – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2008 WR Andre Jones – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2007 WR Jabari Arthur – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 1st)
2007 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2007 RB Bryan Williams – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 3rd)
2006 OL Chris Kemme – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2006 RB Dennis Kennedy – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2006 WR David Harvey – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2005 WR Domenik Hixon – Akron – MAC (Coaches – 2nd)
2003 WR Luke McArdle – Georgetown – Patriot League (1st)
1999 DB Hank Poteat – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
1999 S Ramon Walker – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 1st)
1999 DL Demond Gibson – Pittsburgh – BIG EAST (Coaches – 2nd)
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