Missouri football is reloading its coaching staff in a big way, and head coach Eli Drinkwitz made it official on Wednesday. The Tigers are bringing in a fresh wave of experience and energy with the hires of John Papuchis, Alex Atkins, Lavorn "Chop" Harbin, Garrett Riley, Luke Meadows, and Brendan Bognar.
“We're thrilled to add Alex, Chop, John and Garrett to our coaching staff,” Drinkwitz said in a statement. “All four bring a tremendous work ethic, are fantastic recruiters, have a deep understanding of the game and a strong ability to connect with our players. We're excited to welcome them and their families to Columbia, and we are all ready to get to work.”
Let’s break down what each of these moves means for the Tigers as they gear up for the 2026 season.
John Papuchis: Special Teams Coordinator & Defensive Assistant
Papuchis steps in to lead Missouri’s special teams unit while also contributing on the defensive side. He’s coming off a six-year stint at Florida State, where he helped develop special teams into a consistent strength.
He replaces Erik Link, who departed for the same position at New Mexico. Papuchis brings a veteran presence and a reputation for detail-oriented coaching-something that can pay dividends in the often-overlooked third phase of the game.
Alex Atkins: Tight Ends Coach
Atkins, who has coached at both LSU and Florida State, will now oversee the tight ends room in Columbia. He replaces Derham Cato, who followed former offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to Washington State. Atkins has a background in offensive line coaching and brings a physical, aggressive approach to the tight end position-expect Missouri to lean into that toughness in both the run and pass game.
Garrett Riley & Brendan Bognar: Quarterbacks Room Overhaul
Garrett Riley is one of the most intriguing additions. The former offensive coordinator at SMU, TCU, and Clemson, Riley comes in as the new quarterbacks coach, filling the role vacated by Sean Gleeson, who left for Kansas State.
Riley’s offensive pedigree is well-known-he’s engineered high-octane passing attacks and worked with elite QB talent. His arrival signals a potential shift in how Missouri develops and deploys its quarterbacks moving forward.
Joining him is Brendan Bognar, who will serve as assistant quarterbacks coach. While Riley will likely be the primary voice in the room, Bognar’s presence adds another layer of support and development for the Tigers’ signal-callers.
Lavorn “Chop” Harbin: Defensive Line Coach
Harbin, fresh off a five-year run at Tennessee, takes over the defensive line. He’s known for his ability to connect with players and develop talent in the trenches. Missouri’s defensive front has been a strength in recent years, and Harbin’s task will be to keep that momentum rolling while adding his own edge to the unit.
Luke Meadows: Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Meadows brings a wealth of experience to the offensive line room, having previously coached at Northern Illinois, FAU, Southern Miss, Eastern Michigan, Kansas, and Troy. He’ll work under the Tigers’ main offensive line coach, helping to fortify a group that’s critical to Missouri’s offensive identity. His track record suggests he’ll be instrumental in developing depth and technique across the line.
Internal Promotions: Nicholson, Early, Yoro Take on More
Along with the new additions, Drinkwitz is also elevating key returning staff members.
- Derek Nicholson, the Tigers’ linebackers coach, now adds the title of co-defensive coordinator. His leadership in the middle of the defense will be even more critical in 2026.
- Brian Early, who coached the EDGE position, is adding “pass-rush specialist” to his responsibilities-a move that underscores Missouri’s focus on disrupting opposing quarterbacks.
- Jacob Yoro, previously the safeties coach, now carries the added role of defensive pass-game coordinator.
That’s a big vote of confidence in his ability to scheme and adjust against modern passing attacks.
The Big Picture
This staff reshuffle is more than just a collection of hires-it’s a clear signal that Missouri is serious about building on recent momentum. Drinkwitz has surrounded himself with proven recruiters, developers, and tacticians. And with a mix of SEC-tested coaches and offensive minds with national experience, the Tigers are positioning themselves to compete at a higher level.
With spring ball on the horizon, all eyes will be on how quickly this new staff can gel and start shaping the identity of the 2026 Missouri Tigers. But one thing’s for sure: there’s no shortage of football IQ or energy in Columbia right now.