The Nebraska Cornhuskers officially announced veteran assistant and Nebraska native Mike Ekeler as the special teams coordinator. Ekeler joins the Huskers after spending the last four seasons at the University of Tennessee.
This is not his first time coaching at Nebraska. He previously served as the linebackers coach on Bo Pelini’s staff from 2008 to 2010. Head coach Matt Rhule described Ekeler’s special teams unit as one of the best in the country.
“Mike Ekeler brings a history of special teams excellence to Nebraska,” Rhule said. “His work with Tennessee’s special teams has been elite. Regardless of what statistics you look at over the past four years, Tennessee’s special teams have been at or near the top in the nation. Mike’s energy and true passion for special teams carries over to the players on his units and that will have a positive impact on our program.”
Ekeler’s special teams unit excelled during his time in Knoxville. In all four seasons, Tennessee ranked first or second in the SEC in punt return average.
Last season, the Volunteers ranked ninth in the country, averaging 15.7 yards per return. In 2024, Nebraska was one of the worst punt return teams in the nation, ranking 110th with an average of 4.87 yards.
No stat better explains Tennessee’s excellence and Nebraska’s failure on special teams in 2024 than blocked kicks/punts allowed. The Volunteers allowed zero block kicks/punts, while the Cornhuskers finished dead last, 132nd overall, allowing ten blocked kicks/punts.
“I am unbelievably excited to have the opportunity to come back to Nebraska and join Coach Rhule’s staff,” Ekeler said. “I love what Coach Rhule is building at Nebraska, his hard-nosed approach and his vision for making Nebraska’s special teams the best in the nation.
He also expressed his desire to return home and be closer to family.
“I was born and raised in Nebraska, my parents live in Fremont, so this is home. I grew up in Memorial Stadium watching my uncle, All-American Bob Martin, play for the Huskers. One of the highlights of my coaching career was being at Nebraska from 2008 to 2010. Each stop in my career since then has molded me into a better coach and I appreciate everyone who has impacted me and prepared me for this opportunity to come back to Nebraska and help get this program back to the top of college football.”
Ekeler will earn $625,000 per season at Nebraska. He made $575,000 in his final season with the Volunteers.
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