Coaching Staff Changes Are Part of the Deal at Nebraska Now

There are about a hundred things that are vastly different now in college football than they were back when Tom Osborne took the reins at Nebraska in 1973. One of those that’s taken for granted now, which used to be a much bigger deal, is the continuity of the coaching staff. During Osborne’s tenure, staff changes were not just unusual, they were rare. Guys like legendary Defensive Coordinator Charlie McBride, George Darlington, Milt Tenopir and future head coach Frank Solich were pretty much Huskers for life.

Nowadays, guys change jobs and schools like they change socks. Sometimes it’s the coaches decision, and sometimes it’s not.

The notion that a head coach like Osborne would have employed three different defensive coordinators in three years was laughable. That sort of thing just didn’t happen.

Staff Changes Happen for Very Different Reasons Now

Fast forward. It can and it did happen to Matt Rhule. His first DC, Tony White, left for “more autonomy” and a higher profile at Florida State. White’s replacement John Butler didn’t work out this past season. Now Rob Aurich will take over for next season with high expectations…but clearly a very short leash.

Rhule isn’t the only coach who goes through yearly staff changes nowadays. If a guy is doing a great job – like Nebraska Special Teams coach Mike Ekeler did this past season – other programs take notice. And in this era, that typically means a rapid promotion.

It now appears that Ekeler will be moving on, unexpectedly, to take over the special team unit at Big Ten rival Southern Cal after just a single season back in his home state at Nebraska. The Huskers vast improvement in special teams play last season wasn’t a secret, and clearly other teams took note.

After being one of the worst special teams units in the country in 2024, the improvement in 2025 was noteworthy. Midway through last season Rhule offered Ekeler as new contract with a significant raise, which the well-traveled and highly regarded assistant coach did not sign. It was (and still is, for the moment) Ekeler’s second stint with Nebraska after he spent two seasons 2008-2010 coaching the linebackers under Husker Head Coach Bo Pelini. The native of David City, Nebraska (just 50 miles from Lincoln) also began his coaching career as a high school coach in Omaha. These facts are why Ekeler’s impending departure has caught Rhule and Husker faithful by surprise.

Ekeler’s System Will Remain Even if He Doesn’t

Rhule has said he won’t replace Ekeler with an outside hire as he has done with each of the other coaching changes he’s made this offseason. Instead, he will continue to employ the same system with Ekeler’s former assistants calling those shots.

Going into this fourth season in Lincoln next fall, Rhule will have very different coaches and systems in other places, like the offensive line, where veteran O-Line coach Geep Wade has already gotten his unit much larger and more experienced via the Transfer Portal. The same can be said for Aurich’s defense, which will have more veteran linebackers and edge rushers. Expect new edge rush coach Roy Manning to have Nebraska putting a lot more pressure on opposing quarterbacks next season.

And if these new coaches have units that excel, don’t be shocked if other programs come calling with promotions and bigger paychecks for them next offseason. We don’t live in Tom Osborne’s world anymore.

Mark Knudson Mark is a former MLB pitcher for the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies. He’s the only person ever to play high school, college and professional baseball in Colorado. Mark earned a BA in Technical Journalism from Colorado State University and has worked in radio, television and print sports media since 1994. He’s the co-author of “Pitching to the Corners” with former teammate Don August and the author of “Just Imagine,” a historical fiction novel about The Beatles.
Mark is currently a feature writer and columnist for Mile High Sports in Denver and recently joined the team at Heavy.com. Mark is also a high school baseball coach in the Denver area. More about Mark Knudson