Ekeler Nominated for 2025 Broyles Award
Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler was tabbed as one of 63 nominees for the 2025 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coach.
Ekeler has made dramatic improvements across Nebraska’s special teams units this season. The Huskers currently rank fourth nationally in kickoff returns average (28.9) and 17th in punt return average (17.6), as one of four programs in the top 20 nationally in both areas. Kenneth Williams leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally in kickoff returns average while Jacory Barney is 15th nationally in punt returns average.
The Huskers also rank in the top 35 nationally in blocked kicks (seventh, three), kickoff return defense (11th, 16.1 ypr) and punt return average defense (35th, 5.50 ypr). Ekeler has also developed a pair of first-year starters at the specialist spots as Kyle Cunanan is 13-of-16 in field goals and connected on all 42 PATs while Archie Wilson has placed 12 of his 28 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line and allowed just four punt returns all season.
The Broyles Award selection committee is made up of former hall of fame coaches, members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and legendary broadcasters. The selection committee will vote to advance 15 semifinalists, five finalists, and one overall winner.
The Broyles Award Fan Vote launched today at noon CST and continues throughout the process. Fans can cast votes for their favorite nominees throughout each stage of the competition. Each individual fan vote counts toward one collective “fan vote” in the official selection process of each round. Fans can vote at BroylesAward.com/Vote
The Broyles Award winner will be announced live at the 30th Annual Broyles Award Ceremony on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark.