House Rhules Podcast — Season 1 Finale: "The First Annual House Rhules Season Finale Wrapped Up With a Bow!"

Host: Matt Rhule
Co-Host: Anthony “the Cuz” Gargano
Date: December 18, 2025
Episode: 17

Episode Overview

In the season one finale of "House Rhules," Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule and co-host Anthony “the Cuz” Gargano reflect on a landmark first season of the podcast, discuss key developments within Nebraska football, and dig deep into themes of leadership, culture, and personal growth. The pair celebrate milestones, look with clear-eyed optimism at areas in need of improvement, hand out their end-of-season superlatives to players, and share engaging personal stories—culminating in a lively fan Q&A and community highlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Three Buckets of a Team: A Philosophy of Growth

• Matt Rhule introduces the metaphor of players being in "three buckets" on any team:
  • Bucket 1: Established, successful players (e.g., Deshaun Singleton).
  • Bucket 2: Players on the cusp of breakthrough (“keep doubling down, trust the process” — see Emmett Johnson’s story).
  • Bucket 3: Players unlikely to see significant playing time, still valued for their role.
• Quote: “My whole thing is if you’re in bucket two, double down, sprint, trust the process, and get yourself to established success.” (00:00 / 18:30)
• Rhule notes that, at Nebraska, he still considers himself in bucket two—highlighting a mentality of continuing to chase growth and success.
  • Quote: “I’ve been national coach of the year. I’ve been an NFL head coach. I took this job, but right now at Nebraska, I’m in bucket two.” (00:00 / 18:30)

2. Season Milestones & Podcast Impact

• House Rhules celebrates 1.4 million YouTube views, 100,000+ podcast downloads, and 12,900 subscribers for its debut season. (01:39)
• The hosts note feedback from listeners nationwide, including those outside sports, and the show's ability to spark important conversations (mental health, vulnerability).
  • Quote (Rhule): "The whole intention of this was to talk about football, but also maybe try to do a couple good things along the way." (02:44)
  • Quote (Cuz): "...it brings the world into your lap, and it's an interesting world." (03:24)

3. Leadership, Parenting, and Hard Lessons

• Parenting Anecdote: “The Cuz” recounts making his son shovel snow—despite the upcoming thaw—capturing the importance of learning responsibility and sometimes “learning the hard way.” (04:30 – 06:09)
  • Rhule Reflects: “Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.” (06:09)

4. Nebraska Football: Progress, Challenges, and Looking Ahead

• Quarterback Situation:
  • Dylan departs for a reset; TJ steps up as the potential new leader.
  • Quote: “I don’t think there’s a guy in this building who doesn’t believe that TJ is a winner as a starting quarterback.” (06:32)
• Most Proud Achievements: (08:05)
  • Back-to-back bowl games (first since 2013–2014).
  • Re-establishment of a dominant rushing attack (highlighting Emmett Johnson, Big Ten Running Back of the Year).
  • Dramatic improvements on special teams.
• Needs Improvement:
  • Return to dominant defense; specifically, last in the country in red zone defense.
  • Offensive line—too many sacks allowed.
  • Quote: “We’re 100th—we’re last in the country in red zone defense. That’s not something we’ve ever been a part of.” (09:47)

5. The New Reality: Building Through Development and the Portal

• NFL analogy: Build base through the draft/development, accent with portal/recruitment (free agency analogy). (11:23)
  • Quote: “We made the decision when we got here not to just strip the team down. I just didn’t think that was the Nebraska way.” (11:43)
• Portal is not about volume—it’s about impact players.
• Rhule highlights institutional changes (revenue sharing, competitiveness for talent).

6. Challenges and Mindset After a Tough Season Finish

• Rhule notes the frustration of ending on losses but sees it as fuel for change and growth.
• Quote: “That end of the season has made me really, really hungry. Not that we weren’t before, but it just stokes the fire a little bit more to get it done.” (14:32)

7. Player Superlatives and Program Culture

• "Tape Shall Set You Free" Awards segment:
  • Biggest Improvement: Emmett Johnson (17:44)
  • Toughest Dude: Henry Lutovsky (21:00)
    • “He looked like Rocky after they fought Clubber Lang … He’s just a real guy.”
  • Best Practice Squad Guy: Roman Mangini (21:56)
  • Teammate of the Year: Marquis Buford (22:50)
  • Future Coach Award: Jalen Gramstad (24:06)
• Rhule’s message about staying and grinding where you are, as well as building legacy and value, recurs throughout.
  • Quote: “The dream never gives up on you, but we sometimes give up on our dreams.” (18:30)

8. College Football Playoff Picks: Rhule as Analyst

(Predictions Start at 25:13)

• Alabama over Oklahoma.
• Texas A&M over Miami.
• Ole Miss to beat Tulane.
• Oregon picked over James Madison.
  • Rhule provides analysis, noting scheduling, coaching transitions, matchups.

9. Leadership and Coaching Insights

• Importance of transparency as a leader; admitting when you don’t have all answers is powerful.
  • Quote: “There’s real power sometimes in being like, ‘Hey guys, I don’t know what to do right now...’” (61:13)
• Coaching philosophy: Develop every player, not just stars.
  • “Your job’s to help the players get better. It’s not to help the guys who are going to play in the game get better, it’s to help...if you have a kid who’s not going to play in a game for you this year but you’re still coaching them, if you’re a coach, get him better.” (59:31)

10. Community Story: Muchachos Restaurant and Giving Back

(35:19)

• Nick Maestas, owner of Muchachos in Lincoln, shares his “Snapadilla” initiative: free food for those struggling with food insecurity, community pantry, and a Thanksgiving dinner for anyone in need.
• Over 450 meals and $4,500 served—a vivid example of community action.
  • Quote (Nick): “We want to be a restaurant that brings everybody together, and what better way than with food at our table?” (36:19)

11. Inside Nebraska Football — Equipment & Traditions (with Jay Terry)

(42:34)

• Jay Terry reflects on 300 games as Nebraska’s equipment manager since 2002; shares behind-the-scenes stories (from alternate jerseys to dealing with past coaches like Bo Pelini), and how important support staff are to building a team.
  • Quote: “It’s been a lot of years. My first year was 2002 with football. I started full time at the university in 1997. But 2002 was my first football season … So kind of full circle.” (42:45)
• Stories about iconic uniforms, alternate jerseys, and working with student equipment managers.

12. Anything But Football — Mailbag Q&A

(52:19)

• Development vs. Portal: Balance building internally with aggressive, impact-driven portal recruitment.
• Favorite Christmas Treat:
  • Rhule: Italian chocolate cookies, pizzelles, and “red and green M&Ms. It’s the same thing, just different dye.” (54:39)
  • Cuz: Chocolate chip cookies (“there’s nothing better than walking in, the house smells like that”). (55:07)
• Advice for Aspiring Coaches: Start at a small school/level, fall in love with helping players develop, and work your way up through relentless effort and passion. (56:02 – 58:09)
• Leadership Lesson Unlearned: Importance of openly admitting uncertainty as a leader; being collaborative and transparent. (61:13)
• Podcast Fan Song: Rhule enjoys the "Never Doubt" podcast song written about him (“It’s pretty catchy … can someone send that to me so I can play it for my daughters?”) (63:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Roster Development:
  “It can’t be everybody, but they have to be impact players.” (53:02)
• On Buckets Philosophy:
  “You have to decide which bucket you’re in...If you’re in bucket two, double down, sprint, trust the process.” (18:30)
• On the Podcast’s Broader Mission:
  “We’re not here to divide anyone...we’re here to bring up the good things that are out there.” (03:53)
• On End-of-Season Frustration:
  “That end of the season has made me really, really hungry.” (14:32)
• On Community Leadership:
  “Food insecurity is still a very, very real thing in our community. And so we will find a way to continue feeding people...” — Nick Maestas (37:23)
• On Leadership Transparency:
  “Sometimes, there’s real power in being like, ‘Hey, guys, I don’t know what to do right now’...” (61:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Buckets Philosophy: 00:00, 18:30
• Podcast Recap & Mission: 01:39–03:53
• Parenting/Responsibility Story: 04:30–06:09
• Season Achievements & Improvement: 08:05–11:23
• Portal vs. Development: 11:23–12:46, 52:43–54:05
• Emmett Johnson’s Story: 17:44, 18:08–18:30
• Season Awards Segment: 17:24–24:49
• College Football Playoff Picks: 25:13–31:10
• Muchachos Community Story: 35:19–39:39
• Equipment Manager Jay Terry Interview: 42:34–51:03
• Fan Mailbag Q&A: 52:19–64:24
• Leadership/Coaching Lessons: 59:31–62:47

Tone and Style

• Conversational, candid, and sometimes humorous—especially during personal and parenting anecdotes.
• Inspirational and deeply reflective when discussing leadership, adversity, and team culture.
• Authentic appreciation for community, staff, and the broader Nebraska family throughout.

Final Thoughts

The first season finale of House Rhules is more than a sports wrap-up; it's a masterclass in leadership, perseverance, and community engagement. Rhule’s transparent self-reflection and commitment to both football and broader life lessons offer value to listeners far beyond Husker Nation. The positive energy and hunger for improvement set a compelling foundation for what’s to come—both on the field and for the future of the podcast.

[End of summary.]