Levorn “Chop” Harbin, pictured as a defensive assistant with Tennessee, is one of four coaches hired by Mizzou recently, according to Tuesday’s announcement. Harbin will coach Mizzou’s defensive line.
Levorn “Chop” Harbin, pictured as a defensive assistant with Tennessee, is one of four coaches hired by Mizzou recently, according to Tuesday’s announcement. Harbin will coach Mizzou’s defensive line.
Mizzou football on Tuesday officially announced the addition of four new assistant coaches: John Papuchis, Alex Atkins, Lavorn “Chop” Harbin and Garrett Riley. The announcement confirms earlier reporting from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Papuchis is the new special team coordinator and a defensive assistant. He spent the past six seasons at Florida State as the special teams coordinator, as well as the linebackers coach in 2025. Before then, he was the defensive ends coach from 2020-2024.
Atkins is the Tigers’ new tight end coach. He started at Florida State the same time as Papuchis, serving as the Seminoles’ offensive line coach. Atkins was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 while continuing to serve in his previous role until 2024. Last season, he was hired as the LSU tight ends coach, promoted to offensive coordinator and primary play caller later in the season.
Harbin will serve as Mizzou’s new defensive line coach. He has spent the last five seasons at Tennessee, starting as a defensive analyst before being promoted to outside linebackers coach in 2025.
Riley will serve as the team’s new quarterback coach. Riley spent the past three seasons as the Clemson offensive coordinator, then was fired after last season. His previous stop was as TCU offensive coordinator in 2022, coaching Max Duggan as the team reached the national championship.
The four coaches have combined for 86 years of collegiate coaching experience.
In addition the Tigers have added Luke Meadows as the assistant offensive line coach and Brendan Bognar as the assistant quarterbacks coach.
The Tigers, who also hired Chip Lindsey from Michigan as their new offensive coordinator, are likely done reloading their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Graham Faust joins Tigers
On Wednesday afternoon, senior safety Graham Faust of MICDS in St. Louis committed to Mizzou football.
Faust earned first team all-state honors for Class 5 after recording 95 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Faust, whose father Vic played tight end for the Tigers in the 1990s, contributed both on offense as well as special teams on MICDS, immediately becoming an asset on any facet of the game.
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT TO
NOON CST SATURDAY...
...EXTREME COLD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low
as 1 expected in the north to 10 to 15 in the southeast. For the
Extreme Cold Watch, dangerously cold wind chills as low as 1 above
possible in the north to 5 to 10 in the southeast.
* WHERE...Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun,
Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas,
Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes,
Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph,
Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa,
Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight Friday Night
to Saturday morning. For the Extreme Cold Watch, from Saturday
afternoon through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
If you do not have heat in your home or lack shelter, you can call
211 or visit 211connectsalabama.org for assistance locating
appropriate shelter from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT TO
NOON CST SATURDAY...
...EXTREME COLD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low
as 1 expected in the north to 10 to 15 in the southeast. For the
Extreme Cold Watch, dangerously cold wind chills as low as 1 above
possible in the north to 5 to 10 in the southeast.
* WHERE...Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun,
Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas,
Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes,
Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph,
Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa,
Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight Friday Night
to Saturday morning. For the Extreme Cold Watch, from Saturday
afternoon through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
If you do not have heat in your home or lack shelter, you can call
211 or visit 211connectsalabama.org for assistance locating
appropriate shelter from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
&&
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