The rumors turned out to be true.
A much-discussed rumor has come true this Monday morning as Mike Ekeler has opted to go back to Nebraska. Tennessee’s outside linebackers and special teams coach will become Matt Rhule’s special teams coach in Lincoln.
Ekeler is originally from Nebraska and has family in the state. He previously coached at Nebraska from 2008 through 2010. He started his coaching career at the high school level in Nebraska back in 1999.
Ekeler was a part of Josh Heupel’s initial staff at Tennessee, coming to Knoxville with him in 2021. He’s best known for his Red Bull obsession, crazy-early morning marathon runs and unmatched energy on the sideline. Ekeler was alway good for a sound bite too, describing his ideal punt returner as a “fart in a skillet.”
Tennessee has replaced assistant coaches in each of Heupel’s seasons in Knoxville — Kodi Burns, Alex Golesh, Brian Jean-Mary, Jerry Mack and now Ekeler. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks was working on an expiring contract with Ekeler this season, but Banks received a new deal. Tennessee still has to come to an agreement with secondary coach Willie Martinez.
Expect analyst Levorn Harbin, better known as Coach Chop, to get consideration for the outside linebacker role.