USC appears to be closing in on a significant addition to its coaching staff, with Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler reportedly “likely” to join the Trojans. It would mark a return to Los Angeles for Ekeler, who previously coached linebackers at USC in 2013, and now seems poised to bring his high-energy, detail-driven approach back to the Coliseum.
Ekeler’s name has been swirling in coaching circles over the past few days, and momentum continues to build toward a deal that would reunite him with USC. If finalized, it’s a move that would bolster the Trojans’ special teams unit with one of the more experienced and aggressive minds in that phase of the game.
The veteran coach just wrapped up a strong year at Nebraska, where his impact on special teams was immediate and measurable. The Huskers blocked three field goals and two punts in 2025 - a testament to both scheme and execution.
Just as important, they didn’t allow a single blocked kick or punt all season. That kind of clean, aggressive special teams play is exactly what USC has been seeking as it looks to sharpen its edge in all three phases.
Nebraska also finished 12th nationally in kick return defense and 13th in yards per kick return, though their net punting ranked 88th. Even so, the overall picture was one of a unit that played fast, smart, and with purpose - hallmarks of an Ekeler-coached group.
Head coach Matt Rhule addressed Ekeler’s uncertain status earlier this week during an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show, revealing that Nebraska had made a substantial push to keep him in Lincoln.
“In the middle of the season, we offered Mike a huge, huge, huge extension,” Rhule said. “He’s done a great job. We wanted to make him one of the highest-paid special teams coordinators in the country.”
Rhule made it clear that he values what Ekeler brought to the program, both in terms of results and culture. But he also acknowledged the reality of coaching movement in today’s game.
“At the end of the day, people pursue people,” Rhule said. “Mike’s done a great job on special teams. If people want to take other jobs, all I can do is put them under contract, offer them extensions, and hope they stay.”
Rhule noted that Nebraska has internal candidates who could help carry the baton if Ekeler does move on, including Josh Martin, Nick Humphrey - who worked with Ekeler at Tennessee - and Brett Maher. Still, he made no secret of his desire to keep Ekeler in Lincoln.
“I hope Mike’s back. I love working with him,” Rhule said. “But just like there’s a transfer portal for players, coaches have that same right.”
Ekeler’s special teams unit wasn’t just solid - it was explosive. Nebraska finished in the top 25 nationally in both punt and kick returns this past season, a leap forward that was hard to miss. The Huskers racked up 341 punt return yards - more than they’d totaled in the previous five seasons combined.
That production was powered by standout return men Kenneth Williams and Jacory Barney, both of whom earned All-Conference honors. Williams averaged nearly 33 yards per return on 12 attempts, including a kickoff return touchdown against Northwestern and an 85-yard burst on the road at Maryland.
Barney, meanwhile, was one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country. He finished the regular season ranked ninth nationally in yards per return (12.2) and totaled 270 punt return yards - the most by a Nebraska player since 2014.
While the bowl game didn’t quite match that standard - with return attempts getting bottled up inside the 20 - the season as a whole was a statement about what Ekeler can do when given the reins.
If USC is indeed bringing him back into the fold, they’re getting a coach who knows how to build aggressive, well-coached special teams that can flip field position and momentum in a heartbeat. For a Trojans team looking to level up in the trenches and on the edges, Ekeler could be a difference-maker.