Nebraska football special teams coach Mike Ekeler: ‘I’m excited to go home’

The return of Mike Ekeler to Nebraska football is now official. The new contract between Nebraska and Ekeler was released on Monday.

Ekeler, a Nebraska native and former coach for the Cornhuskers under Bo Pelini, will receive $625,000 per season to coordinate the Huskers’ special teams which have been an issue under Matt Rhule.

After the university announced his salary, making the move official, Ekeler broke his silence about the position, with a post on social media after he changed his profile on X from a coach at Tennessee to a coach at Nebraska.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to go home, work with Coach Rhule, help (Nebraska football) WIN, and share the experience with my parents and extended family. Time to go get of a bunch of these RLD (Real Live Dudes),” Ekeler wrote on X tagging former players Will Compton and Lavonte David. 

I’m excited about the opportunity/challenge to go Home, work with Coach Rhule, help @Huskerfootball WIN & share the experience w my parents & extended family. Time to go get a bunch of these #RLD (Real Live Dudes) @_willcompton @LavonteDavid54 🌶️🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LxvzOlMCgi

— Mike Ekeler @Huskerfootball (@CoachEkelerUT) February 11, 2025

In addition to coaching special teams for the Volunteers, who never finished lower than 39th in special teams efficiency and had multiple seasons in the top 10 after ranking outside the top 90 before he took over, Ekeler also coached outside linebackers for Tennessee.

And even though Matt Rhule said the special teams coordinator wasn’t going to have a huge role on the recruiting trail, Ekeler is dynamic in that role and it would make sense to use him.

Ekeler is a home-run hire. He’s a proven special teams coach, a proven recruiter, and a dude who wants Nebraska football to win just as much as any fan. You want people who care that much and I can guarantee you that the Huskers special teams will be better in 2025.

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