Former Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler spoke publicly for the first time since his departure, addressing his move to Los Angeles during a press conference on Friday. After just one season in Lincoln, Ekeler joined the USC staff in January as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, a move he says was driven by a need for greater responsibility and a fresh challenge.
Seeking more than just «Cruise Control»
Ekeler noted that his time at Nebraska was the first time in his career he wasn’t coaching on the defensive side of the ball. While he enjoyed the experience of turning around a struggling special teams unit, he felt the foundation was so solid that the program was essentially on «cruise control.»
«One thing about life with anybody who is ambitious, I don’t like feeling comfortable,» Ekeler explained. «I could have sat back and been comfortable, but I didn’t like that. I wanted another challenge.» When the USC opportunity arose, offering him the chance to coach linebackers in addition to special teams, he knew it was the right move for his career.
A new era for Husker Special Teams
With Ekeler gone, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has turned to a familiar face to lead the unit: former NFL kicker Brett Maher. Maher will serve as the special teams coordinator, with Nick Humphries elevated to co-coordinator.
Rhule expressed high confidence in Maher’s ability to handle the pressure of the role. «When you take a position like that, you have to be willing to stand out front and catch the arrows,» Rhule said, noting that Maher’s long professional career in the NFL has prepared him for the «highs and lows» of coaching.