John Papuchis
Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends
John Papuchis enters his second season on the Nebraska coaching staff. Papuchis tutors the Nebraska defensive ends and also plays a key role with the Husker special teams.
In his first year in Lincoln, Papuchis saw starting defensive ends Zach Potter and Pierre Allen combine for 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, with Potter earning honorable-mention All-Big 12 accolades. The defensive ends helped a Nebraska defense that finished second in the Big 12 in total defense.
The special teams unit had a banner year under Papuchis in 2008, headlined by place-kicker Alex Henery’s school-record 57-yard game-winning field goal against Colorado. Henery finished the year 18-of-21 on field goals and missed just one extra point. He was chosen as a second-team All-Big 12 pick. The Huskers also ranked in the top 25 nationally in punt returns, and returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same season for the first time since 1998.
Papuchis joined the Nebraska coaching staff after spending the previous four seasons on the football staff at LSU. Papuchis worked closely with Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini during their time together in Baton Rouge. Papuchis served as a defensive intern for the Tigers, assisting in every aspect of the defensive game plan and scouting reports.
The efforts of Papuchis helped the Tigers rank among the nation’s top defenses throughout his time with LSU. The Tigers ranked third nationally in total defense each season from 2005 to 2007. Last season, the Tiger defense helped LSU to SEC and national titles, capped by a 38-24 victory over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. Papuchis also coached the Tiger punters.
Papuchis first joined Nick Saban’s LSU staff prior to the 2004 season, helping the team earn a berth in the Capital One Bowl.
Papuchis had a three-year stint as a graduate assistant at Kansas from 2001 to 2003. In 2001, he worked with the Jayhawk secondary and then assisted with the linebackers. In his final season in Lawrence, Papuchis helped the Jayhawks earn a berth in the Tangerine Bowl.
Papuchis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Kansas in 2003.
Papuchis is a native of Gaithersburg, Md. He and his wife, Billie, have a daughter, Addyson.
