FSU linebacker and special teams coach John Papuchis is one of the original members of Mike Norvell’s staff and probably should have been among the first to be let go after the 2025 season.
Paphuchis moved from defensive ends to linebackers coach after the 2024 season, and we saw no improvement from that unit as they transitioned to Tony White’s multiple front 3-3-5 defense.
Special teams have been abysmal under his watch, aside from the 2023 season, especially at punt and kickoff return. It looks like Papuchis will finally move on, reportedly taking a job as an assistant at Missouri:
Sources: Missouri is hiring Florida State’s John Papuchis as an assistant coach. He coached special teams and linebackers this year at FSU and has worked at Maryland, UNC and Nebraska in various special teams and defensive roles. pic.twitter.com/zGYjBlct5Y
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 31, 2025
Papuchis’s contract was set to expire in a month, and the fact that he’s taking an assistant role is telling. The fact that it took this long for him to find a job is telling. The fact that Mike Norvell allowed him to do this is telling.
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It tells me that he likes Papuchis and didn’t want to fire him, which is one of the biggest flaws Mike Norvell has. The biggest question I have now is what they will do to replace him? They could simply elevate former FSU standout Ernie Sims, who’s currently the assistant linebackers coach.
However, Tony White may have someone he prefers who has more experience in his system. FSU linebackers have struggled mightily the past few years. They lack physicality, fill the wrong gaps at times, and have been poor in pass coverage. They have some experience returning, but will need to add at least one linebacker from the transfer portal. They signed some decent talent from the high school ranks earlier this month. Stay tuned to see how FSU will feel this coaching void.