What’s next for Nebraska football after Mike Ekeler’s reported departure?

Nebraska football feels a little like whack-a-mole, when one problem is stamped down, another seems to pop up.

First, the Huskers had to deal with the quarterback situation. Donovan Raiola got fired, and Nebraska didn’t fight that hard to bring back Dylan Raiola.

Then, the whole Kenny Minchey fiasco happened, before Rhule, and Nebraska were able to rebound with Anthony Colandrea, another quarterback that the Huskers are reportedly paying $1.5-$2 million for.

Once that was done, though. It felt like the program had some positive momentum. The transfer portal haul has been solid, not spectacular, but it was another step in the right direction.

Only to take another step back, as Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported on Thursday that Ekeler is “likely” to leave Nebraska football to take a job at USC.

It hasn’t been reported it will be the special teams coordinator or if he will have another role. Rhule mentioned in an interview with Zach Gelb this week that Nebraska football offered Ekeler a deal to become the highest-paid special teams coach in college football. That deal hasn’t been signed.

With Ekeler in charge, Nebraska went from having one of the worst special teams units in college football to having one of the best. Kenneth Williams, who was a dynamic return guy, has entered the transfer portal. Now, the coordinator looks set to leave, which is a big problem.

Nebraska’s next move if Mike Ekeler leaves

Rhule said he would replace Ekeler with Josh Martin, who has been a tight ends coach and analyst with Nebraska for the past three seasons. He was also the SMU special teams coordinator in 2018 and 2019. During the 2018 season, SMU had one kickoff return for a touchdown with an average of 24.9 yards per return. The Mustangs averaged 8.2 yards per punt return.

In 2019, SMU averaged 26 yards per kickoff return. C.J. Sanders, who led the American in kickoff return average (28.8) had two kickoff return touchdowns that season. The punting average was 39. There was seven missed extra points, and four missed field goals.

Nebraska averaged 25.9 yards per kickoff return, and 13 per punt return this season. The Huskers also ranked among the top 20 teams in kickoff returns, punt returns, kickoff return defense, and punt return defense.

In other words, Ekeler’s unit was elite. Martin has had teams produce. However, he was on staff when the special teams struggled so much. He’s a secondary option. That doesn’t mean he can’t succeed, but it’s a downgrade, however you want to look at it.

And for a program that has to win on the margins, losing that edge on special teams could be costly. Ekeler was worth at least a win or two this season, and Nebraska has zero margin for error in 2026.

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