I don't agree with most in this thread, and that may be because I saw a lot of bad in the special teams especially the decision making that Rhule was referring to. If KO return decisions are made prior to the kick by the coach and not the receiver, that's a problem and not normal. There are typically coached standards for when to return, when to fair catch, and when to let it go through the endzone. I share Rhule's take that we took way too many balls out of the endzone that put us inside the 20 to start drives. It happened a lot. That's what he's referring too.
Additionally, he is basically saying that next year, whether Mike is coaching here or not, they will be better because they are going to use the same system and they will be more familiar with it; all while being more disciplined in decision making for KO return. That's what the whole statement was referring to, KO return.
I completely agree with what Rhule is saying. Is it obvious that he's annoyed by whatever is going on behind the scenes? Aboslutely, but I would be too, if I offered an incredible salary increase to keep him and he's looking elsewhere.
As others have said, Ek seems like a transient. He doesn't last in one place for very long. Most of the time that is upon the individual and something within them, not the organization.
There's a lot more to this that will come out after Ek officially leaves for USC.