By: Tim Flynn
GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines has promoted defensive coordinator
Brandon Moore to be the 30th head coach in Oredigger football history.
Moore elevates to the head coaching position left by the retiring Gregg Brandon. Moore has been the architect of a rapid rise in Mines' defensive profile as they went 12-2 in 2021 and finished ranked #3 in NCAA Division II after the deepest postseason run in program history.
"My family and I are beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to start this new chapter at Colorado School of Mines," Moore said. "I look forward to taking Mines Football to our next level. I am determined to run a transparent program that the university, our alumni, and fans can be proud of. We will continue to exhibit the discipline and excellence of Orediggers around the world. Ultimately, our goal remains to build champions of high character on and off the field. Go Mines!"
Moore takes over a program in the midst of an unprecedented period of success coming off an appearance in the 2021 NCAA semifinals and three consecutive RMAC championships. Mines remains primed for success under Moore as the program anticipates returning 15 starters next fall, including nearly all of their offensive skill production and four of the team's five leading tacklers on defense.
In trying to keep that success going, Director of Athletics
David Hansburg didn't have to look far to find the next leader for Mines Football.
"Over the last six years I have had the privilege to watch
Brandon Moore grow into an exceptional coach," Hansburg said. "More importantly, he has become the consummate Oredigger. Brandon's collaborative leadership style allows him to bring everyone together towards a common goal, and that was evident on and off the field this past season. I am excited to see Brandon take Mines Football to the next level in the coming years."
Since arriving at Mines as linebackers coach in 2016, Moore has led the effort to make the Orediggers' defense one of the nation's elite. Moore was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2018 along with current William Jewell head coach Mike McGlinchey, then took over as defensive coordinator following the 2019 season. That 2019 defense was the nation's best on third downs (24.3%) and ranked 13th in total defense (285 ypg), 11th in scoring defense (16.8 ppg), and sixth in rushing defense (79.8 ypg). In 2021, the Mines defense ranked among the nation's best in scoring defense (11th, 14.7 ppg), turnovers gained (4th, 33), sacks (3.7 per game, 5th), and interceptions (17, 6th) as the unit produced two shutouts and allowed single-digit points in five games, including a program postseason-record 55-6 win over Bemidji State in the NCAA Second Round in which the defense did not allow a score.
Moore has been a part of four RMAC championship teams at Mines (2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021) and coached 40 all-RMAC players, including 2017 NFFCC Defensive Player of the Year Dean Wenger, 2019 all-American Jimmy Bauer, and 2021 RMAC Academic Defensive Player of the Year
Nolan Reeve. The Orediggers are 51-12 overall since his arrival with the program in 2016 and 34-5 with Moore as defensive coordinator - a record that includes five shutouts, including two in each of the last two seasons.
A native of Baldwin, N.Y., Moore had an accomplished playing career as a linebacker, first as a four-year letterwinner and 2001 national championship winner with Oklahoma, playing under Bob Stoops and then-defensive coordinator and now-head coach Brent Venables. Moore went on to a long professional career that included six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 2002 to 2007, a season with the San Diego Chargers in 2010, and three seasons with the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives in 2009-10 and 2011. After his playing retirement, he launched his coaching career as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona, and he served two NFL Minority Internships with the Chargers in 2018 and the Tennessee Titans in 2019.
Moore and his wife, Sheree, have four children: Stephon, Tre, Arriana, and Kash. His older brother, Rob Moore, is also an NFL veteran and is the current wide receivers coach with the Titans.
BRANDON MOORE PLAYING HISTORY
University of Oklahoma - 1997-2001
San Francisco 49ers - 2002-07
Las Vegas Locomotives - 2009-10, 2011
San Diego Chargers - 2010
BRANDON MOORE COACHING HISTORY
Scottsdale CC - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers - 2012-15
Mines - Linebackers - 2016-17
Mines - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers - 2018-19
Mines - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers - 2020-21
Mines - Head Coach, 2022-
