There is a reason I’ve never been to Las Vegas and do not have a Fan-Dual account. In my last article I said I would put my money on Matt Rhule hiring Tyler Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles as Nebraska’s next special teams coordinator. As we all know now, I would have lost.
Rhule surprised me and most Husker fans by hiring the guy we’ve all been clamoring for since Rhule announced special teams needed a complete overall. Mike Ekeler’s name was the first to be heard from Husker Nation when new blood was suggested. And with good reason. I hate saying this but Rhule hiring Ekeler is a home run, a bullseye, a hole in one, or whatever other overused cliché you can use. Rhule couldn’t have found anyone who will bring more fire and passion to revamping the Huskers special teams.
Ekeler is known for his intensity and desire to have the best unit on the field. He will be demanding and motivate his players to perform at a top level. He has an infectious attitude which will rub off on his players and fellow coaches. We heard Matt Rhule say in his winter press conference that he didn’t think the special teams coordinator would be involved with recruiting. But after Ekeler gets on campus and Rhule witnesses him interact with recruits, he may change his tune. Ekler is a talented recruiter and will be a strong asset. Don’t underestimate Ekeler as a linebacker coach either. Let’s hope Rhule knows what he’s got.
It seems fitting the 53-year-old Ekeler is a Husker after starting his football journey in Nebraska. He was born in David City, and played his high school football in Blair, Nebraska. He then went to Kansas State where he played linebacker and was a special team’s standout. While at K-State he played for Bob Stoops, who was co-defensive coordinator. When Stoops became the head coach for Oklahoma Ekeler followed Stoops as a graduate assistant. While at Oklahoma he worked under co-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. When Pelini was hired to be the defensive coordinator at LSU, he took Ekeler with him to serve as a GA. While at LSU Pelini and Ekeler were part of the staff that won a national championship in 2007. The following year Pelini was named the head coach at Nebraska and hired Ekeler as his linebacker’s coach. Ekler held that position from 2008-2010, coaching future pros like Cody Glenn, Will Compton, Eric Martin, and Lavonta David.
In 2010 Ekeler left Nebraska to be the co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Indiana. Over the last 14 years he has coached at USC, Georgia, North Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, and Tennessee. In that time, he served as either a linebacker coach, special teams coordinator or both. He has worked under head coaches such as Bob Stoops, Bo Pelini, Les Miles, Lane Kiffin, Mark Richt, Larry Fedora, and Josh Heupel. Ekeler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Matt Rhule’s staff.
If that isn’t enough to get you excited, look at some of Tennessee’s special team stats. In doing so, it becomes clear as to why Rhule pursued Ekeler. In four seasons as Tennessee’s STC, they allowed one blocked punt, and zero blocked field goals. Over that same period, they blocked eight punts. In comparison, Nebraska had 10 kicks blocked last season alone. When punting, Tennessee pinned their opponents inside the ten-yard line 17 times.
In the last three seasons, Tennessee has had over 1,300 punt return yards and allowed less than 170 return yards. In 2024 Tennessee averaged 15.7 return yards per attempt. Once again, in comparison Nebraska had a total of 23 kick return yards and 73 put return yards last season. That equates to 4.87 yards per attempt on punt returns. As you can see, Ekeler has no place to take this team but up.
And finally, Tennessee’s opponents were 10 of 19 on field goal attempts last season. Whether you can attribute this stat to Tennessee is questionable. But one would like to think Ekeler’s units played a role in that success rate.
It’ll be interesting to see how Ekeler approaches special teams at Nebraska. It’s been said head coach Josh Heupel wasn’t a fan of using starters on special teams. If it’s true, Ekeler has made Tennessee one of the top five special team units in the country using back-ups and walk-ons. I’m not sure how Matt Rhule feels about starters on special teams, but I would think he will give Ekeler whoever he wants. The best guys must be on the field, starters or otherwise. No longer will the goal on special teams be not to screw up but to create positive results and game changing plays.
Ekeler is the last piece of the coaching puzzle Rhule needed. Rhule has completely rebuilt his staff and has no doubt improved upon it. Staff changes appear as follows:
HC – Matt Rhule
OC – Dana Holgorsen (replaces Marcus Satterfield).
OL – Donavan Raiola (returns).
TE – Marcus Satterfield (moved from OC).
WR – Daikiel Shorts Jr. (replaces Garrett McGuire).
RB – EJ Barthel (returns).
QB – Glenn Thomas (returns).
DC – John Butler (replaces Tony White, promoted to DC from DB coach).
DL – Terry Bradden (replaces Terrance Knighton).
LB – Rob Dvoracek (returns).
Edge – Phil Simpson, (replaces Jack Potenza).
DB – Addison Williams (replaces John Butler).
Associate HC – Phil Snow, (new Position)
ST – Mike Ekeler (replaces Ed Foley).
As you can see only four coaches return to their previous positions. But this is a good staff, and I like it, there are names on this list that are known throughout the college football world. I anticipate a change in attitude, this is an intense group, and we will see a different Husker team on the field next season.
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