Mike Ekeler Recalls First Trip to Neyland Stadium

Over the weekend, Vols special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler took to social media and called Tennessee his "dream job."

"2005 was the 1st time I coached in Neyland Stadium. It's the best atmosphere in the country," Ekeler wrote on Twitter. "Since that night- my "dream job" has been to coach @Vol_Football, live on the river and drive my boat to work."

Ekeler rounded out Josh Heupel's staff and will now have the opportunity to do just that. When asked to recall the trip to Neyland during Monday's defensive staff media availability, he did.

"I just remember walking in there and first of all, you walk in that stadium and it's absolutely beautiful. I mean, it's incredible," Ekeler said. It's all symmetrical, and it's probably one of the most breathtaking structures you've been in. And then, you toss in 103,000 people, and they start singing Rocky Top, and it's an electric environment."

I remember I was up in the press box at the time, and the thing started shaking and swaying, and it was pretty awesome," Ekeler recalled. "So, ever since that, I think we ended up coming out on top where I was in overtime. It was an unbelievable battle, and I just had a great experience."

Ekeler will head up Tennessee's young but talented group of outside linebackers while also serving as special teams coordinator this fall. "That's kind of how I made my name as a player, and I love that aspect of it," Ekeler said of his decision to move towards Special Teams. "You get to coach every single player on the team, and you get to teach them every what I call transferable skill."

2021 will mark Ekeler's sixth year as an assistant in the SEC ranks, as he has over 15 years over Power Five experience. Along the way, he has coached the likes of Roquan Smith, Reggie Carter, Will Compton and Lavonte David.