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Sipple:
Rhule hits home run with Ekeler hire
Nebraska’s special teams will improve considerably this coming season under Mike Ekeler. I say that with extreme confidence.
His high energy will ripple through the entire team because his special teams meetings will be intense and entertaining.
I know Ekeler, 53, very well from his time coaching linebackers at Nebraska (2008 to 2010). I’ve also taken note of his work in other programs, most notably Tennessee. A team typically won’t reach the CFP without strong special teams.
To wit: UT led the SEC in punt returns in 2024 at 15.7 yards per attempt (ninth nationally). That alone will get Nebraska fans’ attention, as the Huskers averaged 4.87 to rank 111th this past season and have been anemic in that area for years. The Vols also led the conference this past season in long punt returns with 11 of 20-plus yards and four of 30-plus.
Tennessee averaged 32.6 punt-return yards per game. Only one other team in the SEC averaged even 20.
Born in David City, Nebraska, Ekeler has been Tennessee’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach since 2021. His list of accolades is long, but one jumps out: In the past four seasons, according to a school official, Tennessee has allowed one blocked punt and zero blocked field goals.
Nebraska allowed 10 total blocked kicks this season, tied for worst in the country.
Ekeler in the past four years oversaw a unit that produced 1,320 punt-return yards while giving up only 162. The Vols blocked eight punts during that period.
Rhule hit a home run here, pure and simple.
Rhule hits home run with Ekeler hire
Nebraska’s special teams will improve considerably this coming season under Mike Ekeler. I say that with extreme confidence.
His high energy will ripple through the entire team because his special teams meetings will be intense and entertaining.
I know Ekeler, 53, very well from his time coaching linebackers at Nebraska (2008 to 2010). I’ve also taken note of his work in other programs, most notably Tennessee. A team typically won’t reach the CFP without strong special teams.
To wit: UT led the SEC in punt returns in 2024 at 15.7 yards per attempt (ninth nationally). That alone will get Nebraska fans’ attention, as the Huskers averaged 4.87 to rank 111th this past season and have been anemic in that area for years. The Vols also led the conference this past season in long punt returns with 11 of 20-plus yards and four of 30-plus.
Tennessee averaged 32.6 punt-return yards per game. Only one other team in the SEC averaged even 20.
Born in David City, Nebraska, Ekeler has been Tennessee’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach since 2021. His list of accolades is long, but one jumps out: In the past four seasons, according to a school official, Tennessee has allowed one blocked punt and zero blocked field goals.
Nebraska allowed 10 total blocked kicks this season, tied for worst in the country.
Ekeler in the past four years oversaw a unit that produced 1,320 punt-return yards while giving up only 162. The Vols blocked eight punts during that period.
Rhule hit a home run here, pure and simple.
