Missouri has made their second coaching hire of this offseason, hiring a coach who spent the last six seasons at Florida State.
According to Pete Thamel, the Tigers are hiring John Papuchis, a special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for an unspecific assistant coach role.
Tigers add a new coach with experience all over the field
Missouri hasn't yet disclosed what Papuchis' specific duties will be with the Tigers, but he has vast expereince with special teams, linebackers and edge rushers. With Florida State, he coached all three, including NFL talents like edge Jared Verse and returner Keon Coleman.
Also at Florida State, Papuchis also helped kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Alex Mastromanno both earn first team All-America honors in the same season in 2024.
While it's unclear what Papuchis will do at Mizzou, the Tigers have their fair share of problems on special teams and defensive end to work out. Last year, due to injuries and poor play, Missouri hit just 71.4% of their field goals, and at just 41.8 yards, were last in the SEC in yards per punt.
The Tigers are also set to likely lose both Damon Wilson II and Zion Young at defensive end to the NFL draft, leaving development of underclassman and transfers as a huge task. Papuchis has sent players like Jared Verse and Jermaine Johnson to the NFL already, and could help the Tigers to devlop that group.
Overall, it feels like a solid hire despite the nebulous intention. Wherever Papuchis ends up fitting in will surely be a boost to the position room.