Mizzou assistant to follow Kirby Moore to Washington State, per report
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Missouri assistant coach Derham Cato is nearing an agreement to join Kirby Moore’s staff at Washington State, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Cato is the Tigers’ tight ends coach. He and Moore, formerly the offensive coordinator at Mizzou, have worked together for the last 3 years. Cato is returning to the Pacific Northwest after spending 6 seasons at Washington in various roles.
At Mizzou, Cato helped Brett Norfleet develop into an integral part of the offense since he joined the program in 2022. Within a year, production from the tight ends doubled, as Norfleet collected SEC All-Freshman honors. In 2024, Norfleet brought in 26 receptions for 235 yards and 2 scores.
This season, Norfleet ranked second on the team in receptions with 31. He is expected to return for his senior season, but Norfleet has a chance to get drafted when he enters the NFL Draft. Derham also coached Washington’s Cade Otton to a fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Moore agreed to a 5-year deal with Washington State earlier this month. The Cougars are coming off a 7-6 campaign and replacing Jimmy Rogers, who was hired by Iowa State.
According to a separate report from 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, Moore is also working to hire Mizzou assistant offensive line coach Jack Abercrombie as his offensive line coach.
Mizzou closes out its 2025 season against Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
