The Virginia Tech Coaching Files: Matt Moore

Hold on, Hokies. Spring football will be here before you know it.

Until then, allow me to continue introducing (or re-introducing) you to Virginia Tech's 2026 coaching staff. This week's Virginia Tech Coaching Files focuses on the second coach retained by James Franklin this winter — offensive line coach Matt Moore.

Moore's Background

Age: 53 | Hometown: Canton, GA

Moore grew up just north of the Atlanta metro area before enrolling at Division II Valdosta State in southern Georgia. Moore started 34 games as an offensive guard, earning All-Gulf South Conference First Team honors in his senior season.

Before earning an opportunity to coach at the college level, Moore coached high school football in Jasper, GA, from 1997-98, then coached the offensive line and coordinated offense at Hoover High School in Alabama from 1999-2004. Moore became the head coach at North Gwinnett High School in 2005, serving one year before jumping to the college ranks.

Coaching Experience

Moore is easily one of the most experienced assistants on Virginia Tech's staff. Moore spent years in the lower levels of FBS before catching a break with the Hokies' longtime rival across the border.

Moore's second coaching job was under the tutelage of the beloved Mike Leach at Texas Tech. Moore left the comfort of Leach's Air Raid offense for a brief stint under Mike Stockstill at Middle Tennessee. His offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee was Buster Faulkner, leading one to wonder if Moore received any interest from the Florida Gators this winter.

After two years under Skip Holtz at Louisiana Tech, Moore reunited with Neal Brown, who was on Troy's staff in 2006. Brown hired Moore to be his co-offensive coordinator alongside Kenny Edenfield, an arrangement that lasted until 2018, when Moore was given the full-time gig.

When Brown took the West Virginia job, Moore followed. From 2020-21, Moore coached next to Gerad Parker, the current head coach at Troy and a former assistant under James Franklin at Penn State. Moore was never elevated to a coordinator-level position at West Virginia, but served as assistant head coach until Brown was fired after the 2024 season.

Without a clear landing spot, Brent Pry secured Moore as Virginia Tech's offensive line coach for the 2025 season.

What Does Moore Bring to the Table?

Moore's coaching background is steeped in the Air Raid. Not only did Moore learn from Mike Leach, but Neal Brown's offenses at Troy and West Virginia employed many Air Raid principles and schemes. 

Mike Leach's offenses never prioritized the running game, but Moore's decision to leave Texas Tech helped him showcase his abilities as a coach. Here's how Matt Moore's offensive lines performed, starting in 2012.

Over the last decade-plus, Moore's offensive lines have consistently performed well in pass protection, finishing in the top third in sacks allowed. His units have improved dramatically in the run game in recent seasons, something Virginia Tech fans saw in 2025.

Moore is also a two-time Broyles Award nominee (2016, 2023) and coached three NFL draft picks at West Virginia — Colton McKivitz (5th round), Zach Frazier (2nd round), and Wyatt Milum (3rd round).

That success in Morgantown pushed some Mountaineers to follow Moore to Blacksburg, including the Hokies' starting center, Kyle Altuner. As a redshirt freshman, Altuner held his own and showed significant progress as the season went on, especially in pass protection. Fans should expect Altuner to continue to develop as a sophomore.

Is Moore a Good Hire?

Aside from the quarterback, Virginia Tech's offensive line was the worst unit on the field in 2025. The Hokies could not keep Kyron Drones clean, though some of the protection breakdowns undoubtedly fell on Tech's fifth-year quarterback.

There was one area where the Hokies' offense succeeded — the run game. Moore and play caller Philip Montgomery quickly realized that Virginia Tech could hold its own on the ground, and the Hokies pressed that advantage for the remainder of the season. While it didn't translate to many wins, it was their only way of consistently moving the football.

Moore's 2025 performance must be taken with a rather large grain of salt. He inherited an offensive line missing two key starters (Braelin Moore and Xavier Chaplin) and was tasked with protecting a quarterback who hadn't progressed much at all. 

As bad as the offensive line was, the unit improved over the course of the season. That, combined with Moore's recent track record of player development and production, made sense for James Franklin to retain Moore this winter.

Fortunately for Moore, Virginia Tech restocked the offensive line this winter. The Hokies added 11 new offensive linemen this offseason, including a couple of experienced transfers that should add depth right away. 

Armed with a fresh set of tools and a play caller that comes from a run-centered offense, I expect Moore's offensive line to make significant gains in both the pass and run games. 

If you enjoyed this feature, check out last week's profile on wide receivers coach Fontel Mines.