The Nebraska football program has plunged back into chaos just as it seemed to be gaining ground. In a dramatic turn of events, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports has confirmed that Mike Ekeler, the architect behind the resurrection of the Huskers’ special teams, is «likely» leaving the team to join the University of Southern California (USC).
The news has come as a devastating blow to Lincoln, especially after revelations that Matt Rhule had offered Ekeler a deal to become the highest-paid special teams coach in all of college football. The coach’s refusal to sign and his imminent flight to Los Angeles leaves Nebraska in an extremely vulnerable position, just after having navigated recent crises with their quarterbacks.
A Lethal Blow to the Team’s Backbone
Under Ekeler’s leadership, Nebraska achieved the unthinkable: moving from having one of the worst special teams units in the country to sitting among the national elite (Top 20). With the departure of return star Kenneth Williams to the transfer portal, and now the loss of their strategic mastermind, the team faces a technical regression that could cost decisive victories in the 2026 season.
Matt Rhule’s management at Nebraska is starting to resemble a game of «whack-a-mole»: as soon as they fix one problem—such as the million-dollar signing of Anthony Colandrea for $2 million following the Raiola fiasco—a new hole opens elsewhere in the structure.
Josh Martin: Disastrous Replacement or Desperate Gamble?
Faced with Ekeler’s departure, Rhule has already tapped Josh Martin as his successor. Martin, who has served as an analyst and tight ends coach at Nebraska, previously coordinated special teams at SMU (2018-2019).
However, comparisons are bleak: while Ekeler maintained elite units, Martin’s track record includes seasons with seven missed extra points and four missed field goals.
For a program like Nebraska, which survives by winning on the thinnest margins, losing the tactical edge Ekeler provided is a luxury they cannot afford. Fans are already questioning whether Martin is a real solution or simply a «secondary option» that confirms a downgrade in the coaching staff. In a year where the margin for error is zero, this escape to USC could be the beginning of the end for the Huskers’ aspirations.