LA Times · Jan 21
USC adds Nebraska’s Mike Ekeler as new special teams coordinator
Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler is joining the USC football staff, taking over leading the Trojans’ special teams unit.Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler is joining the Trojans’ football staff for the 2026 season, a person familiar with the hire but not authorized to speak publicly told The Times.
Ekeler spent just one season in Lincoln but managed to transform many of the Huskers’ special teams operations. Nebraska went from 92nd in kickoff coverage in 2024 to 12th in 2025. The punt coverage (114th to 14th), kickoff return (100th to 13th) and punt return teams (111th to 17th) also experienced similarly significant leaps.