Florida State had to completely overhaul its coaching staff after this past season. Going 2-10 in 2024 was inexcusable and should never be the standard at Florida State.
Head football coach Mike Norvell added six new coaches to the staff. One of those who was relieved of their duties was former offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins. Atkins was known for his recruiting efforts on the trail, but he never played the youngsters that he recruited.
Assistant coach Herb Hand outperformed expectations, which was somewhat expected, since he has taken control of several Power Four's offensive lines over the years.
Former Florida State assistant coach Alex Atkins is set to be hired at Missouri
Given how Alex Atkins handled the Amarius Mims situation and got handed NCAA violations, I thought it would have been harder for him to get a job. However, some schools didn't have the same mindset, as the LSU Tigers hired him to be their tight ends coach last season.
The Tigers had a mass exodus as head football coach Brian Kelly was fired in Baton Rouge. Usually, when this happens, the current staff have to look for jobs elsewhere because the new coach doesn't want them on their staff.
That was indeed the case, as Lane Kiffin found other assistant coaches that he liked (many of them are from Ole Miss, where he previously coached). As a result, Atkins had to find him another place to coach at.
According to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Missouri Tigers are set to hire Alex Atkins as their tight ends coach.
Sources: Missouri is set to hire Alex Atkins as the school’s next tight ends coach. Atkins is a veteran coach who spent last year at LSU, including interim OC. He spent the prior five years at Florida State, including three years as offensive coordinator and two as OLine coach. pic.twitter.com/lJNojDjAQS
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 12, 2026
The more intriguing part about Atkins going to Missouri is that he will also be reunited with former Florida State assistant coach John Papuchis, who is also with the Tigers. The two of them have multiple years at Florida State, where they have worked together.
It will be interesting to monitor how both individuals will do at Missouri this upcoming season.