Nebraska Football's Special Teams Just Got a Major Shake-Up, and It's More Than Just a New Face!
This offseason has brought some significant changes to the Nebraska Cornhuskers' special teams unit, and it all started when their highly-regarded coordinator, Mike Ekeler, decided to pursue a similar opportunity at Southern California. This departure left a void, especially since Ekeler was a fan favorite and a key architect of the team's impressive turnaround in the special teams department during the 2025 season. Head coach Matt Rhule had publicly committed to filling this crucial role from within the program, emphasizing continuity and a deep understanding of the existing systems.
However, just as the team seemed to be settling on an internal promotion, a curveball was thrown when special teams assistant Josh Martin announced his decision to leave Nebraska for a head coaching position at Liberty Christian. This news naturally led some to wonder if the original plan for an internal hire was still on track. But fear not, Husker faithful! In a swift move, the program announced that Husker legend Brett Maher will be stepping into the special teams coordinator role. Adding to this exciting development, former special teams analyst Nick Humphrey has been promoted to co-coordinator of the unit. This dynamic duo is now tasked with carrying the torch and building upon the success of the 2025 season.
But here's where it gets interesting... The 2025 season saw Nebraska's special teams transform from a weakness into a genuine strength, directly contributing to victories. This remarkable progress was largely credited to Ekeler's infectious energy and his well-defined system. With both Ekeler and Martin now gone, the question looms: can Maher and Humphrey maintain this upward trajectory, especially with a challenging schedule ahead in 2026? Rhule's commitment to internal promotion suggests he has immense faith in the existing staff's ability to uphold Ekeler's philosophies.
And this is the part most people miss... While Martin's departure caused a brief flicker of doubt, the promotions of Maher and Humphrey strongly reaffirm Rhule's initial vision. For Nebraska fans, Maher's elevation brings a wealth of credibility and a deep sense of familiarity. As a former player, graduating in 2012, Maher was a standout, earning Big Ten Kicker and Punter of the Year honors in 2011, and even enjoyed a successful professional career in the CFL and NFL. His intimate knowledge of the game, particularly concerning specialists, is expected to be invaluable for Kyle Cunanan (kicker) and Archie Wilson (punter) as they step into their assumed starting roles.
Meanwhile, Nick Humphrey represents a vital link to Ekeler's successful system and, hopefully, his boundless enthusiasm. Humphrey's decision to remain with the program despite Ekeler's departure speaks volumes about his confidence in Nebraska's direction. His promotion is a clear indicator of the trust the coaching staff places in his ability to uphold the high standards set for the special teams. The key to last season's success was instilling a sense of urgency in all 11 players on special teams, a mindset that will be absolutely crucial when facing three teams that made the College Football Playoff this year.
While it's certainly a blow to lose a coach like Ekeler, the silver lining is that Maher and Humphrey were integral to the special teams' success last season. They'll undoubtedly need to prove their mettle in 2026, but on paper, Nebraska returns almost its entire specialist roster from the previous year. The only notable departure is kickoff return specialist Kenneth Williams, who has entered the transfer portal and will face the Huskers when they travel to Michigan State in September.
On the flip side, Jacory Barney Jr., the punt return specialist, is back and ready to make an impact. He earned All-Big Ten third-team honors for his exceptional return game, amassing an impressive 545 combined return yards on kickoffs and punts in his sophomore season. Alongside him, Wilson and Cunanan are set to continue their roles as specialists. While they may not have received all-conference accolades, both the kicking and punting units showed significant improvement in 2025, and their continued development will be vital for the Huskers' success.
Now, this dynamic duo of special teams coordinators is gearing up for the upcoming spring practices. The pressure is on for them to demonstrate that the special teams unit won't falter with a change in leadership. It's a daunting task, and there will likely be challenges along the way, but don't be surprised if Maher and Humphrey exceed expectations in 2026. Rhule's strong belief in promoting from within suggests a calculated risk, and the success of this new leadership structure could very well shape the future of the program and even Rhule's tenure at Nebraska.
What are your thoughts on this new special teams leadership? Do you believe Maher and Humphrey can maintain the momentum, or will the departure of Ekeler prove too significant a hurdle? Share your opinions in the comments below!
