After putting Nebraska’s special teams unit on “cruise control,” veteran coach Mike Ekeler was ready for his next test. That challenge now awaits in Los Angeles, where he hopes to bring the same spark. The new USC special teams coordinator and LBs coach has already begun to make his mark, and head coach Lincoln Riley says the Trojans are already feeling Ekeler’s impact.
“Coach Ekeler has really led the charge there in terms of just the fundamental development, kind of how we teach it, the verbiage,” said Riley to reporters after Friday’s spring practice. “The guys have not only been able to do it on the field but also recite the way that we coach it. So that they’re mentally, I don’t think there’s a question of if they know it or not. It kind of removes any doubt that way.”
“So, yeah, I think we’ve changed some of those periods, and I think our guys are seeing that. They’re also seeing how they apply to not just a special teams period, but it’s amazing how many of these clips show up in an offensive or a defensive competitive period where they’re working a drill for maybe in one period that actually works and teaches you just to be a better player, and you can apply it so many different ways,” added the USC head coach…