{
  "id": 3045707,
  "title": "Mike Ekeler discusses returning to USC after 13 years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/mike-ekeler-discusses-returning-to-usc-after-13-years",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T15:02:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mike-ekeler-discusses-returning-usc-150229017.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "USC head coach Lincoln Riley added Mike Ekeler to his coaching staff this offseason, making him the team's linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. This is not Ekeler's first time in Los Angeles; he served as USC's linebackers coach in 2013 under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Ekeler's return to USC after a 13-year absence was discussed in an interview recently. He reflected on his past experience, stating, \"Wherever you’ve been, there's a piece of you.\" Ekeler noted that he remained in contact with several of the coaches from his 2013 staff, including Ed Oregeron, Tee Martin, Clay Helton, and Tommie Robinson. The former USC linebacker's enthusiasm for the job is evident, and USC fans are optimistic that his return will positively impact the team's performance on both the linebackers and special teams units this fall. For the latest USC Trojans news, opinion, and coverage, follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like their Facebook page.",
  "summary": "13 years after his first stint in Los Angeles, Mike Ekeler is back with the Trojans",
  "key_points": [
    "Mike Ekeler returns to USC after 13-year absence",
    "Ekeler joins USC as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator",
    "Former USC coaches include Ed Oregeron and Tee Martin"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}