This offseason, USC head coach Lincoln Riley made several notable additions to his coaching staff. One of them was the hire of Mike Ekeler as the Trojans’ linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.
This is actually Ekeler's second stint in Los Angeles. He spent the 2013 season as USC's linebackers coach, working with a group that included Devon Kennard and Hayes Pullard. However, he was not retained by new head coach Steve Sarkisian, who took over leading the Trojans in 2014.
I recently spoke to Ekeler about being back at USC 13 years later.
“Wherever you’ve been, there’s a piece of you,” Ekeler said. “To come in here and be a part of this again is special.”
Ekeler also mentioned that he has continued to stay in touch with many of the coaches
from that 2013 staff.
“Coach O [Ed Oregeron], Tee Martin, Clay Helton,” Ekeler said. “Tommie Robinson. We had a great crew. Really really really good people.”
Ekeler has certainly brought an infectious energy to the Trojans’ coaching staff. USC fans are hoping that energy will lead to improved play from the linebackers and on special teams this fall.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Mike Ekeler discusses returning to USC after 13 years
