As he stepped to the podium in the Hawks Press Room on Tuesday, there was an air of familiarity, even if more than a decade had passed since his first stint in Lincoln. The energetic coach who once stormed the sidelines is now in his early 50s, but the fiery passion that defined him then remains completely intact.
Looking at him now, one might notice a few extra lines on his face compared to when he was in his mid-30s, an energetic force of nature taking on the role of Nebraska’s linebackers coach. Back then, he was known for his unrelenting intensity, often seen on film and in games getting physically engaged with his players—sometimes even ending up on the receiving end of an accidental collision with a linebacker who might have sent him crashing to the ground. But true to his character, he would always bounce back up, often laughing, celebrating, and embracing the young player who had just given him an unexpected body check. For him, those moments weren’t about personal impact; they were about coaching energy and the thrill of seeing his players master their craft.
When asked if his demeanor and coaching style had changed since his last tenure with Nebraska, he gave a response that was met with laughter:
“I’m a pretty reserved guy, you know.”
The irony of that statement was not lost on anyone in the room. Moments later, he assured the media he doesn’t read anything they write—though he made it clear it wasn’t meant as an insult. Those who still long for the days of Nebraska’s stoic, reserved coaching personas might be surprised, but Ekeler remains unapologetically himself. Passionate. Vocal. Unrelenting.
Mike Ekeler’s return to Nebraska feels less like a homecoming after a long absence and more like a natural continuation of a journey he began years ago.
Ekeler’s coaching philosophy has always been high-energy, high-engagement, and, if anything, his enthusiasm has only increased with time.
“I think each year I’ve got more energy,” Ekeler said. “That’s just who I am. You’ve got to coach to your personality, right? And I love what I do. I love game day. I love the competition.”
While Ekeler is still the same fiery coach, there is also an added layer of wisdom that only comes with experience. Since his first time at Nebraska, he has amassed a wealth of knowledge from his time coaching at major college programs like Oklahoma, LSU, Indiana, USC, Georgia, North Carolina, Kansas, and most recently, Tennessee. But despite the years spent at powerhouse programs across the country, Nebraska has always remained home.
“This is my home. My parents live in Fremont. My uncle, Bob Martin, was an All-American here. I grew up going to every one of these games. And…it’s in your blood,” Ekeler said. “To be able to come back and do my part—be a small part of bringing Nebraska back to where we’re all used to—that’s why I came.”
Returning to Nebraska wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about embracing the challenge. The program has seen numerous coaching changes since he last roamed the sidelines, and he is well aware of the scrutiny that comes with the job.
“If you do your job at a high level, you have opportunities. If you don’t, you have a for-sale sign in your yard,” he said bluntly.
Ekeler is one of the few hires in Matt Rhule’s staff revamp who does not come from Rhule’s coaching tree. It’s a significant shift from Rhule’s initial approach, where he predominantly brought in familiar faces. Bringing in Ekeler suggests that Rhule values results over connections, much like how Frank Solich once brought in Bo Pelini. It was also a bold move on Ekeler’s part to leave a stable position at Tennessee—a College Football Playoff team—to take a leap into the unpredictable environment of Nebraska. But he’s embracing the opportunity to work under Rhule.
“I wouldn’t change my path for anything. And it all kind of led me back here and to work with Coach Rhule, who—maybe I’ve only been here a few weeks—but this man may be the best leader I’ve ever been around,” Ekeler said.
That’s high praise coming from someone who has worked with legendary names like Bob Stoops, Bo Pelini, Mark Richt, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron.
“The University of Nebraska, people in Nebraska—I hope you understand how blessed you are to have such a tremendous, tremendous coach and a great leader,” Ekeler added. “He’s so highly intelligent he can coach every position on the field, and he knows it.”
With Ekeler handling special teams, he has a clear mission: to bring a dominant, game-changing unit back to Nebraska. Punt returns, an area that has stagnated into a fair-catch strategy in recent years, will see an aggressive overhaul. Ekeler made it clear that he already has plenty of players eager to step up for the role.
“I’ve got a bunch of guys banging down my door,” he said, emphasizing that he’s had a track record of coaching special teams players who have made it to the NFL. For those with pro aspirations, he has one simple message:
“If you say you want to be a pro, be a pro. Go live it. Don’t talk about it. Be about it.”
Ekeler believes special teams success is built on effort and precision, noting that his past success at Tennessee came without using starters. Instead, he developed walk-ons and underclassmen into elite special teams contributors. He also reinforced the idea that in his system, accountability is key:
“If we play great on special teams? It’s on these kids. If we don’t? It’s on me. And so I like that. I like the heat. That’s why I came here.”
He made it clear that everyone will start with a clean slate, but the expectations will be set at an elite level. For those who don’t thrive under pressure, Ekeler has a warning:
“If you’re scared of the dark, it’s probably not the spot for you.”
Ekeler’s return represents something bigger than just another coaching change—it’s a return to a mindset that has been missing from Nebraska football for years. He carries an infectious energy, a deep love for the program, and a proven track record of elevating special teams units to elite levels.
“We recruit speed,” Ekeler stated, recalling something Nebraska Associate Head Coach Phil Snow said to him about their approach to special teams. “Have you ever seen a donkey win the Kentucky Derby?”
While Nebraska fans have heard plenty of promises in the offseason before, there’s something different about Ekeler. The potential for Nebraska to transform its special teams into weapons is no longer just wishful thinking. It’s a real possibility. And for a program that has struggled in so many one-score games, that could be the difference-maker.
For now, it’s the offseason—where hope always runs high—but with Ekeler back in Lincoln, there’s a palpable sense that change is coming. And it won’t take long for Husker Nation to see his impact firsthand.
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