New ST Coach Mike Ekeler

BigRedBuster said:
I honestly can’t figure out how we can pay so many coaches over the years to be special teams coaches and Ek comes in and makes this big of a difference. Seriously, is creating the ability to simply return punts instead of fair catching them all year that complicated? Thats just one example.
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Pretty baffling, huh? Though not as baffling when you recall how we've approached this spot in recent years. I recall Frosty not hiring a dedicated ST coach at all and trying to do it himself/other coaches/analysts. Then we went friend hire in Ed Foley which was a train wreck. Its one thing to spend money, its another to spend money for a highly regarded coach. Great to see the near instantaneous improvement for a group that has been subpar since the Bo days.

Ek clearly has the smarts, eye for talent, and passion to coach ST and do it well. Gem of a staff member that separates average teams from the real contenders, particularly in a conference when field position is so critical.
 
BigRedBuster said:
I honestly can’t figure out how we can pay so many coaches over the years to be special teams coaches and Ek comes in and makes this big of a difference. Seriously, is creating the ability to simply return punts instead of fair catching them all year that complicated? Thats just one example.
Click to expand...
Ek mentioned it in previous interviews but energy and effort are a huge component for high quality special teams. Whereas it was an often overlooked part of the game with previous staffs, Ek has energized the team with his focus on these units.

I also think we've been more willing to put some of our best skill players back as returners versus some previous years where we simply sent players out that would catch the ball without even considering a return. That threat of a return talent has to force opponents to emphasize punt coverage which can lead to punt block opportunities if the coverage team lacks discipline. Quite a contrast from the Bruce Read 'no block/no return' emphasis.
 
Wistrom Disciple said:
Ek mentioned it in previous interviews but energy and effort are a huge component for high quality special teams. Whereas it was an often overlooked part of the game with previous staffs, Ek has energized the team with his focus on these units.

I also think we've been more willing to put some of our best skill players back as returners versus some previous years where we simply sent players out that would catch the ball without even considering a return. That threat of a return talent has to force opponents to emphasize punt coverage which can lead to punt block opportunities if the coverage team lacks discipline. Quite a contrast from the Bruce Read 'no block/no return' emphasis.
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Was gonna mention what you outlined in the bold. Such an impact going both ways when you think about intent to return and also pressure you're bringing on the punter. Ek seem's aggressive af compared to past ST units here- bringing pressure in different ways make the punting team think about protection schemes more often which may mean less guys down the field in punt coverage which opens up more space for the return game. Whatever the explanation is, I actually look forward to our ST unit on punts now vs. the past years where it was a 'hold your breath' moment to simply field the punt and not do something dumb. True weapon when your ST is a threat to change the field position game every time
 
gossamorharpy said:
Pretty baffling, huh? Though not as baffling when you recall how we've approached this spot in recent years. I recall Frosty not hiring a dedicated ST coach at all and trying to do it himself/other coaches/analysts. Then we went friend hire in Ed Foley which was a train wreck. Its one thing to spend money, its another to spend money for a highly regarded coach. Great to see the near instantaneous improvement for a group that has been subpar since the Bo days.

Ek clearly has the smarts, eye for talent, and passion to coach ST and do it well. Gem of a staff member that separates average teams from the real contenders, particularly in a conference when field position is so critical.
Click to expand...
Wistrom Disciple said:
Ek mentioned it in previous interviews but energy and effort are a huge component for high quality special teams. Whereas it was an often overlooked part of the game with previous staffs, Ek has energized the team with his focus on these units.

I also think we've been more willing to put some of our best skill players back as returners versus some previous years where we simply sent players out that would catch the ball without even considering a return. That threat of a return talent has to force opponents to emphasize punt coverage which can lead to punt block opportunities if the coverage team lacks discipline. Quite a contrast from the Bruce Read 'no block/no return' emphasis.
Click to expand...
Ok…I know I couldn’t step in and do it because I’m not an experienced football coach. But, all those guys we’ve had in that position are. They’ve all been around good special teams and should know how they work.

Again, it seems like a no brainer to figure out how to block guys wanting to come down and tackle your punt returner….at least enough so he can catch it and gain a few yards.

We’ve just had so many that are satisfied with fair catches that it’s mind boggling.
 
gossamorharpy said:
Was gonna mention what you outlined in the bold. Such an impact going both ways when you think about intent to return and also pressure you're bringing on the punter. Ek seem's aggressive af compared to past ST units here- bringing pressure in different ways make the punting team think about protection schemes more often which may mean less guys down the field in punt coverage which opens up more space for the return game. Whatever the explanation is, I actually look forward to our ST unit on punts now vs. the past years where it was a 'hold your breath' moment to simply field the punt and not do something dumb. True weapon when your ST is a threat to change the field position game every time
Click to expand...
Again though….is this type of thought process that foreign to even D3 coaches? Seriously. WTH?

It seems obvious to me that if I’m the special teams coach at Northern Idaho Catholic Nuns College for the Blind, I’m going to at least try to be creative and get the job done.
 
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