Prior to entering coaching, Moorhead played as a quarterback at Fordham from 1992 to 1995 and professionally for the Munich Cowboys of the German Football League from 1996 to 1997.
In 2004, Moorhead began a five-year stint at the University of Akron, including two years as the offensive coordinator.
There was also concern that he didn't really fit in with Mississippi State's culture,[9] even though he'd taken the podium ringing a cowbell when he was formally introduced as head coach.
[10] According to ESPN, Mississippi State officials intended to fire Moorhead if he didn't defeat Ole Miss in the 2019 Egg Bowl.
At an emotional press conference the following day, Moorhead tried to knock down the rumors about his job security, saying, "This is my school, this is my team, this is my program," and that anyone who thought otherwise could "pound sand and kick rocks."
Besides the Bulldogs' lackluster performance in that game, athletic director John Cohen and other school officials were angered when they learned quarterback Garrett Shrader had suffered an eye injury during a fight in practice.
"[14][9] After his firing from Mississippi State, Moorhead was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Oregon on January 21, 2020.