Ekeler staying put

[SwiftFan87]

 

Linebackers coach Mike Ekeler spoke on the Husker Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" show Thursday night about his weekend interview with South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt.

 

"First of all, when Coach Leavitt called Bo and talked about it, I told Bo point blank ... 'If you don't want me to go interview I won't,'" Ekeler said on the show.

 

But Ekeler said Pelini told him the interview would be a great experience and he should do it. Ekeler had hoped no one would find out, but the newspapers in that area soon reported he had interviewed, the Tampa Tribune eventually reporting that he had turned down an offer to be the Bulls' defensive coordinator.

 

Ekeler said both he and Leavitt agreed it wasn't the right fit at this point.

 

"I got a great job, an unbelievable job that people work their whole lives to have an opportunity to have," Ekeler said. "He's interviewing me but I'm interviewing him as well. It'd have to be a perfect situation for both him and me. It's got to be a perfect fit for both sides."

 

Ekeler praised Pelini for his encouragement during the process.

 

"That's what he does for everyone, he's always done it," Ekeler said. "He's trying to look out for everyone else. Obviously he's looking out for our program, but he wants to elevate people and have them see great opportunties. And that's why people appreciate working for him."

 

http://journalstar.com/blog/huskers.php

[papersun87]

[HSKRNOKC]

Great news!

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

Wow! That shows alot of loyalty and respect for Coach Pelini to turn down a defensive coordinator position with one of his other mentors.

[gobigredkent]

Another coach sticking around after having a "promotion" type job interview. I'm wondering what type of job would pull Ekler away from NU? Same question for Watson.

[husker B-rent]

Suhweet!

[redout22]

Great and Lucky news!

[huskerjack23]

i honestly have to say that it doesn't surprise me. bo is such a class act and those in the know usually say that they'd "run through walls for him". leavitt didn't seem that kind of person.

[Enhance]

 

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Great news and it shows how Bo is as a boss as well. He is supportive to his guys, which is fantastic and is going to make them want to stay in that type of situation.

[carlfense]

Awesome news! Either he loves working with Bo or he expects a better job offer than SF DC soon. Or maybe both!

[SouthBayHusker]

I'm HAPPY!!! I know he will probally leave at some point but I would hope he would stay 5 or 6 years. The guy's a motivator and that's what we need.

[Husker_x]

I think Eck did the smart thing. He has a unique opportunity to continue learning and coaching under one of the best defensive minds in the nation, and hopefully raise his stock if the program continues to rise. It only makes sense to use this chance to further himself and the program, and perhaps the day will come where he won't need to choose another school for a DC spot.

[SkullandBones]

 

 

sort of off topic, but that's some serious AIR!!

[HuskerNMO]

I'll go out on a limb and say he was offered a co-coordinators position, with no input into the staff decisions at all. Which would explain why it wasn't "perfect", especially since Bo had experience with this at OU and could share the ins and outs of that type of situation.