House Rhules Ep. 14 | Jay Glazer and Coach Rhule Get Vulnerable About Mental Health

Release Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Matt Rhule (with Co-hosts Matt Campbell, Jay Glazer, and special guest Emmett Johnson)

Episode Overview

This installment of House Rhules delivers a powerful and deeply personal exploration of mental health in athletics, featuring NFL insider and mental health advocate Jay Glazer. Host Matt Rhule, joined by guest coach Matt Campbell and standout Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson, navigates through Nebraska football’s culture, brotherhood, leadership, and, in a profound segment, the challenges and solutions around athlete mental health. Jay Glazer’s raw vulnerability and practical advice for athletes, coaches, and anyone in leadership bring an unforgettable and urgent clarity to why talking about mental well-being—and building strong support networks—is so essential.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nebraska Football Culture and Recent Games

(00:40–08:26)

• The episode opens with Matt Campbell and Matt Rhule discussing college football upsets and momentum swings, specifically referencing the South Carolina vs. Texas A&M game.

• They deconstruct the psychological aspect of big in-game comebacks, the myth of momentum, and how overemphasis on the scoreboard can pull athletes out of the moment.

  • Quote: "The scoreboard is the one thing that pulls you out of being in the moment." – Matt Campbell (04:53)

• The pair express admiration for the NCAA’s increasing parity and caution against giving preseason rankings undue weight.

2. Emmett Johnson on Team Brotherhood & Coach Rhule’s Leadership

(09:30–19:50)

• Emmett Johnson, Nebraska’s star running back, reflects on a breakout game, sharing thoughts about teamwork and quarterback TJ’s impact.

• Johnson praises Matt Rhule’s leadership style, emphasizing the coach’s care for player well-being beyond the field.

  • Quote: "Coach Rhule isn’t somebody that we can just call coach. He's somebody we'll remember for the rest of our lives... he helps you in life." – Emmett Johnson (11:47)

• Brotherhood and unity during adversity are celebrated, as is playing for sidelined teammates.

• Emmett Johnson’s approach to on-field excellence:

  • Staying in the moment and “neutral,” regardless of outcomes (16:15)
  • Importance of routine and consistency for progress (17:26)

• Advice for coaches and parents: “Be yourself. Don’t try to force anything... This generation’s big on social media—maybe get into things on social media with your kids or play video games with them.” – Emmett Johnson (18:22)

3. Jay Glazer: Vulnerability, Brotherhood, and 'Unbreakable'

(20:04–63:38)

Jay Glazer’s Mental Health Journey

(22:36–29:18)

• Glazer shares his lifelong struggle with clinical depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, and why he went public only five years ago.
  • Quote: “This huge personality and... being in a cage and fighting... was all kind of a mask.” – Jay Glazer (22:36)
• Writing his book Unbreakable and being public about his battles led to stronger, deeper connections, especially with other men who respected his vulnerability.

The Courage to Speak Out

(29:18–37:37)

• First time publicly opening up on social media was “horrifying,” but was met with an outpouring of solidarity.

  • Notable moment: Mercedes Lewis, NFL veteran, checked up on Jay within 90 seconds of his first open post.

• Profound story of Michael Strahan, Glazer’s best friend, who responded to Jay’s vulnerability with empathy:

  • Quote: "By you not telling me, you took away my chance to be your best friend for 30 years." – Michael Strahan (37:38, as recounted by Jay Glazer)

• “Hope was right next to me all these years and I had no idea.”

Building 'Battle Buddies'—Support Group Models

(37:38–43:25)

• Glazer describes an all-star text/support chain including Michael Phelps, The Rock, Sean McVay, and others. They provide a safe space for vulnerability, showing “real strength” is in being open, not just tough.

• Coaches should lead by example—be honest, check on others, and cultivate a “shared struggle” culture.

  • Quote: “If you start doing it, they’re going to see it’s okay.” – Jay Glazer (41:07)

Reframing Mental Health for Leaders and Teams

(43:25–53:38)

• Discussion of survivor’s guilt after teammates’ suicides—Jay insists, “That is not your fault.” (53:10)

• Veteran and athlete peer support groups, powerful deterrents to suicide.

• Mental health needs to be viewed as important as physical health; teams must staff as robustly for the mind as for the body.

• “Everything’s six inches between our ears... being great is lonely, and that’s all part of mental health.” – Jay Glazer (52:45)

Advice for Young Athletes and Leaders

(59:38–63:38)

• “Lean into your teammates. Tell them, tell them, tell them.” (59:44)
• The act of being vulnerable forges stronger brotherhoods.
• Encourage the building of ‘battle buddy’ groups for real-time support.

4. Rapid Fire / Personality Segments

(65:33–74:30)

Sample Questions & Answers:

• Wings: Flats or drums? “Flats and drums. Never breaded.” – Matt Campbell (66:10)
• Favorite Christmas movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” – Matt Campbell (67:06)
• Dream football dinner guest: “Vince Lombardi. I'd ask him to explain the Packer Sweep.” – Matt Campbell (68:05)
• Laughing hardest recently: Watching Leanne Morgan Netflix special with his wife (71:29)
• Favorite Thanksgiving side: His grandmother’s creamed onions, but also green bean casserole and good stuffing (71:40)

Memorable Quotes

• “Vulnerability is the strongest thing I've ever done. It turned friendships into brotherhoods.” – Jay Glazer (24:01)
• “Leaders take care of everyone else—but who takes care of the leaders?” – Jay Glazer (24:40)
• “Letting people see you suffer changes the coach–player dynamic.” – Matt Rhule (44:02)
• “If there's anything I know how to do, it’s take on pain. So I’m going to do that as long as it takes.” – Jay Glazer (59:38)
• “Being great is lonely... that's all part of mental health.” – Jay Glazer (52:45)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:40 | Football weekend recap, momentum, and leadership | | 09:30 | Emmett Johnson interview: Leadership & brotherhood at Nebraska | | 20:04 | Jay Glazer introduction | | 22:36 | Glazer details his mental health journey and 'Unbreakable' | | 29:18 | Opening up: Fear and positive surprise | | 37:38 | Michael Strahan story: The power of telling your truth | | 41:07 | Creating a culture of vulnerability in teams | | 52:45 | Mental health in coaching and sport | | 59:38 | Leaning into teammates & “battle buddies” | | 65:33 | Rapid-fire “anything but football” questions | | 72:29 | Previewing upcoming Nebraska games and “Husker tips” for fans |

Tone & Language

The tone is candid, warm, and direct—equal parts locker-room camaraderie and heartfelt group therapy. Glazer’s irreverent humor and candor, Rhule’s steady compassion, and Campbell’s introspective authenticity create a safe space for raw honesty, practical wisdom, and genuine hope.

For Listeners

This episode is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, leadership, and mental health. It provides not only actionable advice for athletes, coaches, and parents but also potent reminders for all listeners: workplace and life leadership, vulnerability, and caring for one another matter most.

If you need support, remember:

Reach out. Use your team. Build your “battle buddies.” Vulnerability is the foundation of true strength and brotherhood.