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Tennessee special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler is leaving for Nebraska after four seasons on Josh Heupel’s staff, a source close to the situation told Knox News on Monday. The source requested anonymity because Ekeler has not indicated his plans publicly.
Ekeler, who is from David City, Nebraska, coached for the Cornhuskers in 2008-10.
He will be Nebraska’s special teams coordinator and replace Ed Foley, who was not retained after the 2024 season.
Ekeler has been one of the best special teams coordinators in college football.
In 2024, Tennessee led the SEC in punt return average for the third time in Ekeler’s four seasons. The Vols gained 1,298 punt return yards and allowed only 128 punt return yards during his tenure.
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel and assistant coach Mike Ekeler speak on the sideline during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Under Ekeler’s watch, Boo Carter was also an SEC All-Freshman performer as a punt returner, and Josh Turbyville was an All-SEC third-team selection as a kickoff specialist.
Max Gilbert made 20 of 26 field goals in his first season as the primary placekicker. Punter Jackson Ross averaged a career-high 43.9 yards per punt.
Here are Josh Heupel assistants who left Tennessee
Heupel has enjoyed relative stability on his coaching staff. Ekeler is only the fifth assistant that Heupel has lost in four seasons at Tennessee, and none were fired.
After the 2021 season, UT wide receivers coach Kodi Burns left for the same position with the New Orleans Saints.
After the 2022 season, UT offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Alex Golesh left to become the head coach at South Florida. In December, he hired Burns as his new co-offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-special-teams-coach-mike-142338126.html
Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Publish date : 2025-02-03 14:23:00
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