HOUSTON -- Chances are favorable that the Astros will have to find a new bench coach this offseason -- that is, if the Rangers are able to lure Jackie Moore back to his hometown.

Moore, a 52-year veteran of professional baseball, will interview with the Rangers early Thursday afternoon for the job of bench coach.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels received permission from the Astros to interview Moore, who makes his year-round home in Arlington. Moore has a long-standing relationship with Ryan that dates back to 2000, when Ryan, formerly a part of the Ryan-Sanders Baseball group that owns the Astros' top two Minor League affiliates, encouraged Moore to come out of retirement. Moore eventually accepted the manager's job for the new Double-A club.

Moore spent eight seasons with Round Rock, which in 2005 became the Astros' Triple-A affiliate.

"I do have that relationship [with Ryan]" Moore said. "I also have some great relationships in Houston. I appreciate them understanding and giving me the opportunity to talk to the Rangers. It's not a done deal."

But it could be close. Moore's extensive baseball resume has covered more than five decades, during which he gained the admiration and respect of hundreds of managers, coaches and players from coast to coast. His reputation is well-known in baseball circles, including Ryan, who took over as the Rangers' president earlier this year after serving as an Astros special assistant since 2004.

Moore acknowledged that being closer to home is a definite selling point, but it won't be a deal-maker.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions," he said. "I have to find out what [the Rangers] expect of me. Obviously, they have an interest. Going in, I don't have a lot of answers of what their situation is. It'll be an interesting meeting. I know it's a two-way street."

According to Moore, general manager Ed Wade has been supportive of Moore's situation and made it clear Moore has job security with the Astros should the Rangers' opportunity not work out.

"He appreciates what I was doing, the [opportunity I have] to be closer to my family," Moore said. "He made me feel to understand if it didn't work out, I still have a job in Houston. I really appreciate that."

A graduate of Bellaire High School in Houston, Moore has served as either a manager and coach since his playing career ended in 1967. He managed the Oakland A's from 1984-86, and he coached with several teams: Milwaukee (1970-72), Texas (1973-76, 1980, 1993-94), Toronto (1977-79), Montreal (1987-89) and Cincinnati (1990-92). Moore was the dugout coach for the 1990 World Champion Reds.

After he and the Rockies coaching staff were dismissed along with manager Don Baylor in 1998, Moore figured it was time to retire from the game. That lasted one year, until he agreed to serve as an assistant coach for the 1999 silver medal-winning Pan American team in Winnipeg.

The next year, Ryan took over the Round Rock operation, and the Astros soon hired Moore. During his seven years in the Astros' system, Moore helped shape the careers of several future Major Leaguers, including current Houston reliever Chris Sampson.

Moore, who said he isn't anxious to leave the Astros, categorized the 2008 season as "as much fun as I've ever had in baseball."

"There were obviously [losing] streaks we went through, but the guys kept battling it out," Moore said. "With [manager Cecil Cooper] and the other coaches, it was a good year. [Cooper] relied on all his coaches. I was very satisfied along those lines. The longer the season went, the better it was."

Moore said he expects the decision-making process to be quick after the interview Thursday.

"I won't keep the Astros lingering," he said. "Hopefully, I'll have the meeting and have a day to think about it, and hopefully, there will be decisions made soon after."