Nebraska Football's Special Teams Get a Makeover with Maher and Humphrey Promotions
But here's where it gets controversial... The special teams coordinator role at Nebraska Football has undergone a significant change this offseason, with a promotion from within. After the departure of former coordinator Mike Ekeler, head coach Matt Rhule faced a challenging task in finding a suitable replacement. However, the recent news of special teams assistant Josh Martin's departure raised questions about the internal hire plan. Just a day later, HuskerOnline revealed a surprising twist: Brett Maher, a Husker legend, would take over as the new coordinator, while Nick Humphrey, a former special teams analyst, was promoted to co-coordinator.
The 2025 season witnessed a remarkable turnaround in Nebraska's special teams units, transforming them into a strength after years of inconsistency. This progress was largely attributed to Ekeler's leadership and system, which elevated a group that directly impacted wins. However, with Ekeler's departure for USC and Martin's announcement, the question arose: could Nebraska maintain this momentum without its top two coaches from last fall?
And this is the part most people miss... Rhule's initial plan was to preserve Ekeler's philosophies by promoting from within, relying on continuity to sustain the unit's success. Martin's departure briefly cast doubt on this approach, but Tuesday's news somewhat reaffirmed Rhule's original vision. The promotions of Maher and Humphrey signal a commitment to continuity and the trust in their abilities to maintain the standards set by Ekeler.
Maher, a former player and 2012 graduate, brings credibility and familiarity to the role. His experience as a player, including being named Big Ten Kicker and Punter of the Year in 2011, and his understanding of special teams nuances will be invaluable. Together with Humphrey, who represents continuity with Ekeler's system and his seemingly endless enthusiasm, the duo appears to be a strong combination for 2026.
The Huskers return nearly every specialist from last fall, with the only notable departure being kickoff return specialist Kenneth Williams. Punter return specialist Jacory Barney Jr. is set to return, having been named an All-Big Ten third-team selection by the media for his efforts in the return game. The kicking and punting units also took noteworthy strides in 2025, and it is hoped that this progress will continue in the upcoming season.
So, what's next? With spring practices on the horizon, the new special teams coordinators must prove that they can maintain the momentum generated by Ekeler. While it may be daunting, the duo has the talent and experience to overperform expectations. The upcoming season may very well be riding on their success, as Rhule and the program look to build on the progress made in 2025.
