Former NFL linebacker wants his alma mater to swipe a key assistant coach from the Tennessee Vols
Former NFL linebacker Will Compton, a former Nebraska Cornhuskers standout (second team All-Big 10 in 2012), wants his alma mater to steal an assistant coach from the Tennessee Vols. On Saturday, Nebraska parted ways with special teams coordinator Ed Foley. Foley spent two seasons in Lincoln as the special teams coordinator under head coach Matt […]
Former NFL linebacker Will Compton, a former Nebraska Cornhuskers standout (second team All-Big 10 in 2012), wants his alma mater to steal an assistant coach from the Tennessee Vols.
On Saturday, Nebraska parted ways with special teams coordinator Ed Foley.
Foley spent two seasons in Lincoln as the special teams coordinator under head coach Matt Rhule.
Compton tweeted on Saturday that he wants Nebraska to hire Mike Ekeler away from Tennessee to replace Foley.
Ekeler, who has been a bit of a nomad since becoming a college coach in 2003 (Tennessee is the 10th college program he's worked for), just completed his fourth season as the special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach at Tennessee. It's Ekeler's longest stint at a single program.
Ekeler, a former Kansas State linebacker, served as the linebackers coach at Nebraska from 2008 to 2010. He was Compton's position coach for all three of those seasons.
Compton praised the Vols' decision to hire Ekeler in 2021. The former Cornhuskers linebacker and current Barstool Sports personality noted that Ekeler got a (fake) tattoo of Compton's name during the recruiting process.
Ekeler's contract at Tennessee reportedly expires on January 31, 2025. So unless he signs a new deal with the Vols, he'll be free to explore other job opportunities in a few weeks.
Ekeler, who brings a much-needed energetic presence to the Vols' sideline on game days, has done a terrific job with Tennessee's special teams over the last few seasons. Losing him to Nebraska would certainly be a tough loss for the program.
