In a shocking offseason move within the Big Ten Conference, veteran coach Mike Ekeler has departed Nebraska to join the USC Trojans coaching staff. Ekeler, who spent just one season in Lincoln revitalizing the Cornhuskers’ special teams unit, has been hired by USC as Special Teams Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach, and Linebackers Coach. The announcement marks another homecoming for Ekeler, who previously coached linebackers for the Trojans in 2013 under head coach Lane Kiffin.
Ekeler’s coaching journey has been extensive and varied. A native of David City, Nebraska, he played linebacker at Kansas State before embarking on a career spanning 27 seasons, including stops at powerhouse programs such as Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Nebraska. He has experience in every major conference and has coached on staffs at some of college football’s most storied programs.
Ekeler’s brief but impactful tenure at Nebraska saw him transform a previously struggling special teams group into one of the more reliable units in the Big Ten. Under his guidance, the Huskers achieved top-20 national rankings in several key categories, including blocked kicks and overall efficiency. His energetic sideline presence and ability to instill discipline made him a fan favorite in Lincoln, and his nomination for the 2025 Broyles Award—honoring the nation’s top assistant coach—highlighted his rapid success.
Despite Nebraska’s efforts to retain him, including a lucrative contract extension offer that would have made him one of the highest-paid special teams coordinators in the country, Ekeler opted for the move to USC. The lateral shift within the conference has raised eyebrows, with some speculating about factors beyond salary, such as the opportunity to coach linebackers again and to take on the Assistant Head Coach title, which carries additional leadership responsibilities, a role ultimately given to Jamar Mozee.
For USC head coach Lincoln Riley, Ekeler’s arrival addresses a persistent weakness. The Trojans’ special teams ranked among the conference’s worst in 2025, particularly in return production and coverage. Ekeler’s proven track record of quick turnarounds—evidenced by his work at Tennessee and Nebraska—makes him an ideal fit to overhaul the unit.
This is not Ekeler’s first stint with USC. In 2013, he coached the linebackers, helping the team rank in the top 20 nationally in rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense. His familiarity with the program, combined with his defensive background, positions him well to contribute immediately on multiple fronts. The addition of the linebackers coaching role suggests Ekeler will play a key part in USC’s defensive staff restructuring, under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
The hire signals USC’s commitment to addressing special teams as a priority heading into the 2026 season and a continuation of their all-in bet on Lincoln Riley. USC gains a high-energy coach with a history of delivering results. Ekeler’s return to Los Angeles, now with broader responsibilities, could prove pivotal for the Trojans’ aspirations in the Big Ten and the College Football Playoffs. For now, it appears Nebraska will hire from within the building, most likely making Josh Martin the new Special Teams Coordinator; however, nothing is official as of today.