Ekelar is out - headed to Nebraska

[SmokeyLives]

 

[Brave Volunteer]

****! The one assistant besides Garner I really wanted to hang onto!

 

[SugarVols]

Good luck to him loved his enthusiasm!

 

[rdk4121]

This was so we could promote Coach Chop it would seem.

 

[SGMVols]

This was so we could promote Coach Chop it would seem.

I don’t think we wanted Ekeler to leave. He’s just choosing Nebraska.

That said, opening up an on field role for Chop is a good thing. We weren’t going to be able to keep him much longer as an analyst.

 

[TAF]

Sorry to see this, I figured with his daughters emersed in Lady Vol Sports he's stay...

Good Lord...have y'all ever BEEN to Nebraska? Especially Lincoln??!!

 

[Through_The_T]

Can't blame him for going home. Next man up!

 

[Majors]

Sorry to see this, I figured with his daughters emersed in Lady Vol Sports he's stay...

Good Lord...have y'all ever BEEN to Nebraska? Especially Lincoln??!!

He’s from Nebraska. I thought he’d be here until his youngest graduated HS, rising SR. I’m sure she’ll land on the Nebraska VB team with her POY accolades shes bringing.

 

[SGMVols]

Sorry to see this, I figured with his daughters emersed in Lady Vol Sports he's stay...

Good Lord...have y'all ever BEEN to Nebraska? Especially Lincoln??!!

When Butch fired John Jancek his kids that were enrolled at UT stayed.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Totally understand why he would make this move. Still like the guy, no hard feelings. Looking forward to seeing who is next.

 

[orange parmejohn]

Shout out to Coach Ekeler. Sad to see him bounce.

 

[hbvol1982]

He did a good job and I wish him well. Is coach Chop really in the on-deck circle here?

 

[VolinMichigan]

It's a shame we couldn't keep him. Hope we don't see a regression on special teams because of this.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Best to you in your new endeavor, Coach Ekelar. Thanks for all you did as a Vol. Can not fault you for going home.

Go Vols!

 

[onevol74]

Ekeler - good coach and a better man. Can never blame anyone for wanting to go home but I am sure that he now has a hint of Tennessee Orange in his blood. Good Luck Coach!!

 

[American_PitVol]

Man, Damn. I really liked him.

 

[Grudenator]

Can’t blame him. Going back to his stomping grounds. Hate to lose him though, he was a good recruiter and players loved him.

 

[IndianaVol]

Bittersweet for sure - in my opinion, the last few years have been some of the best ALL AROUND special team units Tennessee has ever fielded.
That is all credit to Coach Ek.
Love his passion and enthusiasm for the game.

Other side of the coin, he gets a chance to go coach at his alma mater with better opportunity for advancement.
Realistically, was he eer going to be more than ST Coordinator here at UT?...probably not.
At Nebraska, I think he has a chance to move to other roles and grow his career - I can never be mad at a guy that take that chance.

Thank you for all you have done to advance the brand - GO VOLS !!!

 

[utvolpj]

We need recruiting and I don't think he was a strong one. Sure was enthusiastic though so we may miss some of that.

Elevate Chop and let's get better

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

It's a shame we couldn't keep him. Hope we don't see a regression on special teams because of this.

Besides his great personality, I have no idea if our special teams were good or not. We rarely returned a punt or kick or faked anything.

 

[Cod]

That sucks but good luck!

 

[dduncan4163]

Sorry to see this, I figured with his daughters emersed in Lady Vol Sports he's stay...

Good Lord...have y'all ever BEEN to Nebraska? Especially Lincoln??!!

A little slice of Heaven for a Corn Aficionado such as myself.

 

[LWSVOL]

This was so we could promote Coach Chop it would seem.

Ekeler wanted to get back close to his parents. He lobbied for the job very hard.. UT did not push him out.

 

[BigBadVol]

I thought I saw a video of him talking how much he loved TN and Knoxville and couldn’t see himself leaving. Oh well, good luck.

 

[dduncan4163]

Just released video of coach arriving in Lincoln