Mike Ekeler, who has been Tennessee's special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach the past four seasons under Josh Heupel, is leaving to join Matt Rhule's staff at Nebraska.
Ekeler was born in David City, Nebraska, and he served as linebackers coach of the Cornhuskers from 2008-10 under Bo Pelini. Nebraska is one of college football's most tradition-rich programs, but the Cornhuskers had a seven-year postseason drought until reaching the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl.
The Volunteers thrived on special teams under Ekeler's guidance, racking up 1,298 yards on punt returns while allowing 138 yards. Tennessee ranked either first or second within the Southeastern Conference in punt returns each of the past four years, with the 2024 Vols leading the league with their 15.7-yard average.
Much of that success was due to freshman cornerback and former Bradley Central standout Boo Carter, who had 12 returns for 198 yards and a 16.5-yard average. The Vols began last season with receiver Squirrel White handling punt returns before switching to Carter.
"Boo Carter doesn't care if he's in front of 102,000 people or in front of five people," Ekeler said before the change was made. "He is Boo, and he is so locked in and focused on what he does that he's just a great football player. He's going to play a ton of ball around here."
Kicking accuracy was also a successful trait that Tennessee enjoyed under Ekeler, with the Vols making 67 of 86 field-goal attempts (77.9%) the past four seasons and 248 of 251 extra-point tries (98.8%). Tennessee did not miss an extra point during the 2021, 2023 or 2024 seasons.
Ekeler made $575,000 each of the past two years after being hired for $350,000 in 2021 and receiving a bump to $475,000 in 2022.
Coaching changes have been relatively infrequent under Heupel. The Vols lost receivers coach Kodi Burns after the 2021 season, offensive coordinator Alex Golesh following the 2022 season, and running backs coach Jerry Mack and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary after the 2023 season.
Top-five return
Tennessee's basketball team opened last week with a 78-73 home loss to No. 12 Kentucky but rebounded Saturday with a 64-44 throttling of No. 5 Florida.
The win over the Gators obviously carried more weight in Monday's Associated Press poll, as the Vols vaulted from No. 8 to No. 4 behind the trio of Auburn, Duke and Alabama. Tennessee hosts No. 15 Missouri on Wednesday night (7 on the SEC Network).
This is Tennessee's 34th top-five showing under 10th-year coach Rick Barnes, doubling the 17 appearances the Vols made as a program before his arrival. The Vols have been ranked 73 consecutive weeks overall, extending their program record.
A late addition
Tony Vitello's Vols are welcoming an 11th-hour arrival, former North Carolina first baseman/designated hitter Alberto Osuna.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder from Mauldin, South Carolina, began his college career at Walters State Community College in Morristown, where he played two seasons before spending the past three with the Tar Heels. In 61 games last year, Osuna hit .285 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Tennessee opens its 2025 season a week from Friday by hosting Hofstra.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.