Nebraska to promote two coaches to run special teams in 2026

Nebraska is preparing to promote Brett Maher and Nick Humphrey to lead the special teams unit in 2026. The two will replace Mike Ekeler, who left for a job with the USC Trojans.

Maher had a decorated career in Lincoln. He was the starting placekicker and punter for his junior and senior years. He won Big Ten Kicker of the Year and Big Ten Punter of the Year honors in 2011.

Following his career with the Huskers, he enjoyed a successful career in the NFL. He played in the league from 2018 to 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Rams. Maher joined the Nebraska staff in 2024 as a special teams consultant.

Nick Humphrey joined the Nebraska coaching staff in 2025 as a special teams analyst. He played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2017 to 2022.

The Huskers enjoyed success under his leadership, as they ranked ninth nationally in blocked punts, tenth in blocked kicks, and allowed only 23 punt return yards to opponents.

The news of these two promotions comes as Husker coach and STC candidate Josh Martin left the program to become the head coach at Liberty Christian High School.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska asks Brett Maher and Nick Humphrey to run special teams