Wade Moore has been promoted to interim head coach of the Kosciusko softball team. His appointment was approved by the school board during a special called meeting at noon Friday.
Moore served as an assistant under Tony Terry the past three years that included 4A state championships in 2021 and 2022. Terry retired to accept a position as head softball and assistant baseball coach at Central Holmes Christian School.
"I want to thank the school and the administration for giving me the opportunity to lead the program in the coming year," said Moore, "and I want to thank my family for being there to support me all the times throughout my coaching career."
Athletic director Macy Wilbanks released a statement saying, “Due to the late nature of Coach Tony Terry's retirement, we feel that rushing into a permanent hire is not what is best for the Whippet softball program at this time. Therefore, this presented us with an opportunity to fill the head softball coaching position with a short-term hire who possesses all the qualities needed to continue the success of this program. Coach Wade Moore will act as the interim head coach of the Whippet softball program for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Coach Moore has been a part of the Kosciusko School District for 12 years. During that time, he has coached football, soccer, and powerlifting. He has been the assistant coach of the softball program for the last three years and has been a part of two state championships with the team. He has established strong relationships throughout the Kosciusko School District and within the Kosciusko community. He is invested in building our Whippet family to be the best it can be. We are excited about what he brings to the table and the future of our Whippet softball team."
Moore said, “It's hard to replace a coach who built the program like Coach Terry did. I'm not trying to be Coach Terry. He set the standard for what Kosciusko softball has the ability to be. My main goal is to keep the standard and develop the kids. To keep the tradition of being competitive in the state.”
Terry won three state championship at Kosciusko
Kosciusko had six underclassmen as starters on the team that repeated as Region 4-4A champion this year, including two victories over West Lauderdale. But in the North State final, West Lauderdale had two one-run wins on its way to the 4A championship.
Kosciusko will change regions for the next two years, competing in 3-4A.
Moore is a 1993 graduate of Kosciusko who played football for the Whippets and at Holmes Community College. He received an undergraduate degree in physical education, coaching and teaching from Mississippi State and a master's in educational leadership from Mississippi College.
His experience includes coaching baseball and softball at Ethel and teaching at Scott Central.
He has also worked as an oil field directional driller in Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. “I've seen quite a bit of the country.”
Kosciusko will revise the junior high softball program. Taylor McDole will coach the junior high team, but Moore will assist.
“The junior high will practice with the high school as much as possible.”
There will be tryouts next week for the varsity and junior high teams.
"We’re looking for great things, and we’re ready to get to work," said Moore.
