𝙀𝙎𝙋𝙉 𝙍𝙀𝙋𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙎 : 𝙉𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙠𝙞 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚, 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 2024-2025 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙎𝙋𝙉, 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚……

Lincoln, NE – March 21, 2025 – In a move that no one saw coming, Bo Pelini is making a dramatic return to Nebraska football as the team’s honorary defensive coordinator. The former Huskers head coach, known for his fiery coaching style and defensive expertise, is back in Lincoln in a role that is sure to stir excitement—and perhaps some controversy—among fans.

Pelini, who led Nebraska from 2008 to 2014, compiled a 67-27 record but was fired despite never winning fewer than nine games in a season. His return marks a stunning twist in Nebraska’s ongoing efforts to restore its football program to national prominence.

“I love Nebraska, and I love the Blackshirts mentality,” Pelini said in a brief statement. “It’s an honor to be back in any capacity to help this program succeed.”

While his role as “honorary” defensive coordinator may not come with full play-calling duties, Pelini’s presence alone is enough to shake up the program. Known for his aggressive defensive schemes and no-nonsense approach, his return could signal a cultural shift within the team as Nebraska looks to regain its defensive dominance.

Huskers fans are already buzzing about what Pelini’s return could mean. Some are thrilled, recalling his fiery sideline passion and strong defensive units, while others wonder if his past clashes with university leadership could resurface.

Regardless, one thing is certain—Nebraska just got a whole lot more interesting.

Nebraska football could look at Pelini-era familiar face for Ed Foley replacement

While some Nebraska football fans would like to see the return of Bill Busch, another name has surfaced as a potential special teams coordinator.

Now that the Nebraska football team has reportedly parted ways with special teams coordinator Ed Foley, the search for his replacement is reportedly on. And as it turns out, it looks like a familiar face is in the Huskers’ crosshairs.

The familiar face that quite a few NU fans are dreaming on is Bill Busch. Busch was the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator under Mickey Joseph and Scott Frost, but many were surprised he wasn’t given a shot when Matt Rhule took over the job.

However, the rumblings are that Busch will get overlooked again and that the Nebraska football team will instead look towards current Tennessee special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler for the job.

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Nebraska football looking for familiar face for special teams coordinator

Steve Sipple is among the first members of the Huskers’ media to mention the possibility of Ekeler. The coach is a Nebraska native who already served on the NU staff back in the day during the Bo Pelini era.

Serving as the linebackers coach under Pelini from 2008 to 2010, he’s gone on to build himself quite the career. That career has included the last four seasons at Tennessee but his current contract runs out on January 31 and it’s possible this is where the Huskers could get involved.

Considered one of the best special teams coordinators in the business, it’s clear the Volunteers wouldn’t let Ekeler go without a fight. However, the Nebraska football program has shown it has deep pockets and understands the value of putting together a staff together that can lead players to success.

After the Pinstripe Bowl, head coach Matt Rhule talked about a “complete overhaul” of the special teams unit. Firing Ed Foley was the first step. Hiring one of the best and brightest might be step two. That Mike Ekeler already has ties to the Nebraska football team is a foot in the door, if not a way to bust it wide open.

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