Head coach Matt Rhule met with the media on Tuesday afternoon. During his availability, the head coach shared several interesting quotes regarding the hiring of special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler.
This is not Ekeler’s first time coaching at Nebraska. He previously served as the linebackers coach on Bo Pelini’s staff from 2008 to 2010. Rhule told the press that he initially didn’t want to hire Ekeler for the job but was won over during his interview.
‘When I started hearing local media and former players say to hire him, my initial reaction was ‘don’t hire him.’ At the end of the day I don’t love celebrity coaches, I want guys who just want to work. I brought Ek(eler) in because of what he’s done. I just couldn’t get him out of my head. I just love the way he did everything.’
The new coordinator had spent the last four seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers. His unit excelled during his time in Knoxville. In all four seasons, Tennessee ranked first or second in the SEC in punt return average.
Last season, the Volunteers ranked ninth in the country, averaging 15.7 yards per return. In 2024, Nebraska was one of the worst punt return teams in the nation, ranking 110th with an average of 4.87 yards.
Ekeler will earn $625,000 per season at Nebraska. He made $575,000 in his final season with the Volunteers.
It’s interesting to hear Rhule admit publicly that he was initially apprehensive about hiring Ekeler. Still, with his results the last four seasons in the SEC, it’s clear that Rhule was able to put his personal feelings aside and find the right coach for the job. Hopefully, this translates to results on the field.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule discusses hiring Mike Ekeler
