Bill Moos' memoir highlights 40 years in college athletics, with WSU holding marquee spot

Former WSU player and AD authors a colorful rise from the wheat fields of Eastern Washington to the heights of college sports

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Bill Moos, a former football star and athletic director at Washington State University, has released his memoir "Crab Creek Chronicles" detailing his 40-year career in college athletics. Moos, who served as the AD at WSU, Oregon, Nebraska and Montana, says Washington State is mentioned in all 15 chapters of the book, with four chapters focused entirely on his time at his alma mater.

Why it matters

Moos' memoir provides an insider's perspective on the evolution of college sports over the past four decades, including the challenges of upgrading athletic facilities and navigating conference realignment. As a former WSU player and longtime administrator, Moos' stories offer unique insights into the Cougars' rise to prominence in the Pac-12.

The details

Moos, 75, fell in love with WSU as an 8-year-old when he attended his first college football game at Martin Stadium in 1959. He went on to play offensive line for the Cougars, earning All-Pac-8 honors as a senior in 1972. Moos later returned to WSU as an assistant athletic director in 1982 before becoming the school's AD from 2010 to 2017, overseeing major facility upgrades and the hiring of football coach Mike Leach. Moos left WSU in 2017 to become the AD at Nebraska, a move that drew criticism from some Cougar fans at the time.

  • Moos' memoir "Crab Creek Chronicles" was released on February 14, 2026.
  • Moos played for Washington State from 1970 to 1972.
  • Moos served as WSU's athletic director from 2010 to 2017.

The players

Bill Moos

A former football player and athletic director at Washington State University who has authored a memoir detailing his 40-year career in college athletics.

Jim Sweeney

The head football coach at Washington State University during Moos' senior year in 1972, when the Cougars shut out the University of Washington 24-0.

Elson Floyd

The former president of Washington State University who hired Moos as the school's athletic director in 2010.

Mike Leach

The former head football coach at Washington State University who was hired during Moos' tenure as athletic director.

Kirby Moore

The current head football coach at Washington State University, hired in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I worked at four wonderful universities, and I embraced them, and they embraced me. We did some remarkable things, and I feel a part of all of them. But I have only one alma mater, and I'm proud of that place.”

— Bill Moos (Cougfan.com)

“Elson and I were arm-in-arm. I told him what a thrill it was when he offered me the job, but I said I was not going to go there and be a maintenance man. We were going to have to build facilities.”

— Bill Moos, Former WSU Athletic Director (Cougfan.com)

“I think that was a great hire. I will tell you why. As I write in my book, for over 100 years, the Washington State head football coach position has been, by and large, a stepping-stone. The thing about Kirby Moore is he has proved himself in the big time.”

— Bill Moos, Former WSU Athletic Director (Cougfan.com)

What’s next

Moos' memoir "Crab Creek Chronicles" is available for purchase on his website billmoos.com and through Amazon.

The takeaway

Moos' memoir provides a unique insider's perspective on the evolution of college sports over the past four decades, with a particular focus on his time at Washington State University. The book offers insights into the challenges of upgrading athletic facilities, navigating conference realignment, and building successful football programs.