Missouri is bolstering its offensive staff with the addition of Alex Atkins, the former offensive coordinator at LSU and Florida State, who will serve as the Tigers’ new tight ends coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Atkins replaces Derham Cato, who left Missouri earlier this month to join outgoing offensive coordinator Kirby Moore at Washington State. Last season, Atkins coached tight ends and oversaw the run game at LSU. He was later promoted to interim offensive coordinator during LSU’s midseason staff shake-up, managing an offense that finished 7-6 overall.
Before LSU, Atkins spent five seasons at Florida State. He coached the offensive line from 2020-21 and then took on the role of offensive coordinator from 2022-24 under Mike Norvell, guiding the Seminoles’ 2023 offense to more than 400 yards per game and helping quarterback Jordan Travis and running back Trey Benson achieve career-best seasons.
Atkins has built his career around offensive line and run-game development, with previous stops at Charlotte, Tulane, Georgia Southern, and Chattanooga. He also served as Tulane’s assistant head coach from 2016-18 and began his coaching career at Tennessee-Martin, where he later coached tight ends in 2008. While his experience is primarily in the trenches, he has recent tight ends coaching experience, including last season at LSU with Trey’Dez Green and Bauer Sharp.
Atkins becomes the latest addition to Missouri’s revamped offensive staff. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has already hired Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator, and Garrett Riley and Brendan Bognar are also expected to join the offense ahead of the 2026 season.
