What does Mike Ekeler want in a punt returner? ‘A fart in a skillet’

Mike Ekeler hasn’t been at Tennessee long, but he’s already proven to be the most entertaining coach on staff by far. The outside linebackers and special teams coach is already well known by Tennessee fans for his high energy and Red Bull obsession. Now he’s delivered one of the best quotes of the year.

When asked what he looks for in a kick returner, Ekeler referenced dropping the hammer in Days of Thunder. And for a punt returner? Well, Ekeler said he wanted ‘a fart in a skillet.’

Listen to this incredible soundbite below.

“Kickoff return, you don’t have to be a real make-you-miss type guy,” Ekeler said. “But you gotta be a guy who can run through the doggone smoke. You remember Days of Thunder? You remember when he dropped the hammer? And went through the smoke? That’s the video I show them. That’s what kickoff return is like.”

“Punt returner? Now you look for a fart in a skillet,” Ekeler explained. “A guy who can make you miss. A guy, one cut, get vertical, you know that elusive guy. So it’s a little bit different. You’ve got windows, you’ve got space, you’ve got levels.”

Incredible.

Hopefully we get to see plenty of Ekeler at the podium this season.