The football community mourns the loss of Tom Moore, a former The Citadel cadet‑athlete and head coach who died peacefully at his Charleston home at the age of 81.
Moore’s playing days in the mid‑1960s saw him earn three letters, serve as team captain in his senior season, and lay the foundation for a coaching career that would span decades.
From 1983 to 1986 he returned to The Citadel as head coach, compiling an overall record of 18‑25‑1 and a 7‑18‑1 mark in Southern Conference play; current head coach Maurice Drayton has praised Moore for his leadership, humility, and commitment to developing young men.
Before his tenure at The Citadel, Moore served as a 1st Lt. in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, later joining the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of captain, and spent time as an assistant at Wichita State and Clemson.
His early coaching stops included a head‑coaching role at Gardner‑Webb, where he posted a 17‑24 record over four seasons, and a formative period at Aurora High School in Colorado.
Beyond the sidelines, Moore was deeply engaged in his community. He served as president of a local Christian nonprofit, acted as a vice president and board member of the Better Business Bureau of South Carolina, and integrated his faith into everyday mentorship.
A Life of Service
Colleagues and alumni remember a man whose humility matched his competitive spirit, a coach who taught that character off the field was as important as performance on it.
The outpouring of tributes reflects a career that intertwined athletics, military service, and civic engagement, leaving an indelible imprint on The Citadel and the broader South Carolina community.
He is survived by his wife, Tricia Smith Moore; his sister, Nancy Sroka; his daughter, Ashley King; his son, Rhett Moore, and his wife Leslie; his stepson, Christopher McEniry, and his wife Kim; and several grandchildren.