Nebraska is officially losing a key piece to its coaching staff, as USC is hiring special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler after he served one season with the Huskers.
Hired from Tennessee on Feb. 3, 2025, Ekeler made $625,000 this past year in Lincoln. He was a 2025 Broyles Award nominee, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Ekeler also coached Nebraska’s edge position in the Las Vegas Bowl amid NU’s defensive staff overhaul. While there was speculation that he may continue serving in a role on defense, head coach Matt Rhule never confirmed anything long-term.
Ekeler has previous experience on defense, having served as Nebraska’s outside linebackers coach from 2008 to 2010. Most recently, he was Tennessee’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach from 2021 to 2024. Ekeler has coached at USC before as the Trojans’ LB coach in 2013.
Ekeler’s impact will be missed
Before Ekeler arrived, Nebraska’s special teams ranked near the bottom of college football under Ed Foley. In a single season, his energy-filled style drastically shifted NU’s special teams play from a liability to a strength.
Unlike the seven blocked kicks allowed in 2024, the David City, Nebraska, native’s unit never permitted one in 2025. In fact, his attacking motto led to the Huskers blocking three kicks, which was tied for ninth-best in the country.
Inheriting return specialist Kenneth Williams, Ekeler helped him develop into one of the nation’s top kick returners. Williams led the Big Ten with 32.9 yards per return to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Punt returns also soared under Ekeler’s guidance. He improved Nebraska from 4.9 yards per return in 2024 to 13.6 in 2025, led by Jacory Barney Jr.’s 12.3 (13th nationally). Barney’s 270 punt return yards were the most since De’Mornay Pierson-El’s 596 in 2014.
Meanwhile, Ekeler reshaped Nebraska’s specialist room, bringing in Cal transfer kicker Kyle Cunanan. He made 16-of-19 field goals, including a career-long 52-yarder. Ekeler also implemented rugby-style punting with Archie Wilson, who pinned 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Furthermore, Ekeler stabilized long snapping woes from 2024 that led to several blocked punts and missed field goals by bringing in New Hampshire transfer Kevin Gallic. His name wasn’t mentioned once this season.
The Huskers just added Michigan State long snapper Jack Wills out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder was one of the highest-ranked specialists in this year’s portal cycle. Ekeler also helped bring in Australian kicker Michael Sarikizis to Nebraska’s 2026 recruiting class. Both have already signed with the Big Red.