Report: Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler leaving for USC

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler was officially hired by USC, according to a report from CBS Sports.

College Football Senior Reporter Matt Zenitz first broke the news in a social media post on Tuesday.

USC has in fact now hired Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler, sources tell @CBSSports.

Before Nebraska, was outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Tennessee. Had a previous stint as an assistant at USC in 2013. https://t.co/1ntP432TaY pic.twitter.com/VZ7VDZ3UEC

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 20, 2026

Under Ekeler, Nebraska’s special teams unit completed a remarkable turnaround, ranking among the nation’s best.

The Big Red finished the season in the top 25 in multiple key metrics after being near the bottom in 2024.

Nebraska ranked 17th nationally in punt return yards, 14th nationally in punt coverage, 13th nationally in kickoff return yards, and 12th nationally in kickoff coverage.

Ekeler was previously a linebackers coach at USC in 2013.