Florida State linebackers / special teams coordinator John Papuchis is leaving to take a job at Missouri, according to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Papuchis is one of the last original assistant coaches who have been on FSU’s staff since Mike Norvell arrived in 2020.

In his time at FSU, Papuchis coached defensive ends like Jermaine Johnson, Keir Thomas and Jared Verse. But FSU’s defensive ends struggled in 2024, and Papuchis coached the linebackers in 2025 (another group that underwhelmed).

After a coaching staff shakeup following the 2024 and 2025 seasons, only tight ends coach Chris Thomsen and associate head coach Odell Haggins are still at FSU.

The school has announced Nick Williams is now edges coach / pass rush specialist, Austin Tucker has been elevated to quarterbacks coach and Blue Adams is cornerbacks coach. Kam Martin has yet to be announced as FSU’s running backs coach.

Papuchis’ role at Missouri is not immediately known.

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