Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given to college football’s assistant coach.Under his leadership, the Huskers rank top 20 nationally in blocked kicks, kickoff returns, punt returns, and kickoff return defense. And the engine behind it all is the most energetic coach in college football.KETV Sports reporter Matt Sottile sat down with the coach to discuss the season “These kids just play so doggone hard. They’ve got such, they take pride in it. And we just really want to do our part to be the best in the country. And they’ve really sunk their teeth into it. And they’ve just been a blast to coach,” Ekeler said.Throughout the season, Husker Nation has seen him bouncing around on the sidelines, fist bumping and backslapping.So where does that energy come from? “Man, it came out of the womb. And you know, that’s just a way. That’s my DNA. That’s who I’ve been my entire life,” he said.It’s caught on with the players, hyping them up. “Yeah, I think they just enjoy it. You know, they enjoy going out there. And what’s fun is going out there and playing to your ability. And these guys have done that and then having success on top of that. We don’t sit there and look at stats. We don’t do that. We’ll look up at the year and we’ll all be smiling,” Ekeler said.’One of the most memorable times was after Kenneth Williams returned the kickoff to start the second half against Northwestern. The clip of him celebrating blew up on socials. “It’s just fun. I mean, I told coach, I said I’m not responsible for anything that happens after a big play like that because I kind of black out,” he said. “It’s not only Kenneth, it’s every one of those guys out there blocking for him. You know, you saw double teams that are illegal in 49 states. I mean, these guys just killing people out there.”So, what does Coach Rhule think about his sideline performance? “We have fun. Coach Rhule tries to act like a tough guy, but really, truly, I mean he enjoys it and and I just kind of play into that,” Ekeler said. Iowa has won the last two Heroes Games and four of the last seven on game winning field goals. If it’s Nebraska this time around and the team walks it off. What’s that celebration going to look like? “Man, it’s going to be a race. Race to the goalpost,” he said. To try to take it down? “Not try. Wish and trying and hoping. Nah. You just. You’re a grown man. You do things. And that’s what our guys do,” Ekeler said.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given to college football’s assistant coach.
Under his leadership, the Huskers rank top 20 nationally in blocked kicks, kickoff returns, punt returns, and kickoff return defense.
And the engine behind it all is the most energetic coach in college football.
KETV Sports reporter Matt Sottile sat down with the coach to discuss the season
“These kids just play so doggone hard. They’ve got such, they take pride in it. And we just really want to do our part to be the best in the country. And they’ve really sunk their teeth into it. And they’ve just been a blast to coach,” Ekeler said.
Throughout the season, Husker Nation has seen him bouncing around on the sidelines, fist bumping and backslapping.
So where does that energy come from?
“Man, it came out of the womb. And you know, that’s just a way. That’s my DNA. That’s who I’ve been my entire life,” he said.
It’s caught on with the players, hyping them up.
“Yeah, I think they just enjoy it. You know, they enjoy going out there. And what’s fun is going out there and playing to your ability. And these guys have done that and then having success on top of that. We don’t sit there and look at stats. We don’t do that. We’ll look up at the year and we’ll all be smiling,” Ekeler said.’
One of the most memorable times was after Kenneth Williams returned the kickoff to start the second half against Northwestern.
The clip of him celebrating blew up on socials.
“It’s just fun. I mean, I told coach, I said I’m not responsible for anything that happens after a big play like that because I kind of black out,” he said. “It’s not only Kenneth, it’s every one of those guys out there blocking for him. You know, you saw double teams that are illegal in 49 states. I mean, these guys just killing people out there.”
So, what does Coach Rhule think about his sideline performance?
“We have fun. Coach Rhule tries to act like a tough guy, but really, truly, I mean he enjoys it and and I just kind of play into that,” Ekeler said.
Iowa has won the last two Heroes Games and four of the last seven on game winning field goals. If it’s Nebraska this time around and the team walks it off. What’s that celebration going to look like?
“Man, it’s going to be a race. Race to the goalpost,” he said.
To try to take it down?
“Not try. Wish and trying and hoping. Nah. You just. You’re a grown man. You do things. And that’s what our guys do,” Ekeler said.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |