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- [00:01]
Scott Frost
That's why the NFL has, you know, Roger Goodell, like, he's going to do things even if people don't like them. He's going to do what's right for the game. And they protect the league and for us, like our conferences are our league. So everyone's protecting their own conference. And that's why things end up being maybe a little disjointed as a result. So shoot. Come on, Coach Saban, do it, man. We need you.
- [00:29]
Matt Rule
House rules, baby. That's right. The playoff edition of House Rules bowl season. We're going bowling in Vegas in that, right, Coach?
- [00:42]
Scott Frost
It sure is, brother. It sure is Vegas, baby.
- [00:47]
Matt Rule
I love it, dad. It's fun. That's going to be a bless. We'll get more on that in a bit. But come on, man, New Year's Eve and it's us versus Utah. That's awesome.
- [00:58]
Scott Frost
That's cool. First of all, I think it's going to be great for our fans, you know, to be able to go New Year's Eve bowl, go to go to a great place like Las Vegas. All the attractions, all the things, you know, I think we have a goal here. We want to set the bowl attendance record. You know, Husker fans, I mean, whether we were in UCLA or Maryland, man, our fans show up. So to have this experience. And again, we're playing the number 15 team in the country. They're 10 and 2, dynamic offense, great defense. I mean, what a challenge. And so I just got off the practice field, I'll tell you, because it is so important for your young players to have bowl practice and to get, you know, get another month of development so we can make another jump. So, yeah, we're beyond fired up to come to Las Vegas and play a great team like Utah.
- [01:46]
Matt Rule
That's awesome. I want to get more on that in your preparation coming up. But the crazy world that is college football went bananas over the weekend. I think it broke the Internet with Notre Dame not being excluded from the College Football Playoff.
- [02:07]
Scott Frost
Yeah, I sat here yesterday, you know, we were, we were working on Utah game plan and I usually know. I usually just got some country music playing or something, man. I had the bowl, I had the show on and I didn't know. I was waiting to see, like, you know, there's a lot of. There's a lot of really good teams. And, you know, you got Miami, you got no Notre Dame, you got Alabama. To think that, you know, who's going to be in, who's going to be out, man, and it's you know, credit to Miami, you know, they, they won the head to head. But man, the way that that happened, it's, it's, it's exciting. As a fan, it's got to be heartbreaking though if you're at Notre Dame to know that, to know that you're not in.
- [02:43]
Matt Rule
So I, I want to dive in this, in this thing with you because like what are we trying to do, right? Like so I get the head to head and you can't devalue the game itself. But man, like things change so much. I mean Carr was a freshman making his first start and then you see how that team really came together. And look, I had in my own power rankings at either third or fourth of a third, you can make the argument four, but I had them that high up. Like what's the goal? Is the goal like the best teams or what? Like sometimes there's an anomaly like you play your first game and that's what happens.
- [03:28]
Scott Frost
I think one of the things that came out of all this, I think Coach Saban did such a good job talking is, is you know, saying that hey, five conference champions have to get in. And then you look at like even the ACC like, you know, Miami's not, they have a five way tie for, you know, so you have a 7 and 5 team in there instead of Miami at 10 and 2. That, that's really unique. And if Miami's in that game and Miami wins the game, the Notre Dame probably makes it into the playoff, right? So just a crazy last weekend and I think, you know, I think it brings, brings to light some of the issues in college football, right? Like you have some teams, some conferences playing nine conference games, some conferences playing eight conference games. So if you only play eight conference games, you have one more, you know, non conference game, you're probably going to have your teams instead of being 7 to 5, are going to be 8 and 4. Instead of being 8 and 4, they're going to be 9 and 3. And so you have more ranked wins. I think the big thing that we see coming out of this whole playoff thing is it's not the games you lose, it's which, which games did you win? You know, Alabama went to Georgia and beat Georgia. That's an impressive win. That's, that's why they're in. Right. You know, so, so who did you beat? Not necessarily your overall record, but what are the quality wins that you have? I think that's the big thing coming out of this is man, if you want to get into the playoff and you don't win the championship of your league, you better have beaten some quality teams.
- [04:42]
Matt Rule
I guess the problem is when you have the Big Ten in the SEC as such powerhouses, right? Like the inequity of a James Madison and a Tulane. I don't know. I mean, I'm just talking from a fan perspective. I want to see the best teams, right? And, you know, God bless James Madison. If you expand the field, I'm all right, but, like, you know, I want the best teams, coach. Like, I want to see the best football. And I don't think Oregon, James Madison is going to be a game.
- [05:21]
Scott Frost
You know, I think one of the things, you know, obviously when I was at Temple, I would have. I would have argued the other way. Now that I'm in the Big Ten, though, I mean, it's not even the games you win and lose in the Big Ten. It's the toll it takes on your team.
- [05:33]
Matt Rule
Exactly.
- [05:34]
Scott Frost
In the SEC to play in the Big Ten. We play nine conference Big Ten games. We travel all across the country, and as a result, you know, we only have three teams in. You can't tell me, like, USC and Michigan aren't better than some of the teams that made it in at, you know, at 9 and 3, whatever. I think that's what they're both at, right? It's. It's. It's almost like, you know, why are you going through the gauntlet of playing the big 10 sec when you can play? You know, I see. I watch the tape, obviously, I'm studying other conferences all the time, studying football. It's just, you know, the SEC and the Big Ten are just, in my opinion, are just harder conferences. And so you'd like. I'd like to see more teams from. From those conferences as opposed to, you know, other ones. I think, you know, expanding. The expanding would be really cool. I think some playing games would be really cool. Like, some teams benefited from not being in the. The conference championship game. So I think college football, the one thing we'd all like to see is just kind of uniformity. Like, we all play the same amount of conference games. You know, here's how the conference championship works. You know, Tony Patini from the Big Ten several times said, hey, let's have automatic qualifiers. Let's have one, play two in the Big Ten. Let's have three, play six, four play five, play your way on in again. You should have to win your way in, and I would love to see that. I think it would be such a step forward, and I think Coach Saban just did a great job this whole weekend talking about that.
- [06:52]
Matt Rule
He was fantastic. He's the greatest. He's just the greatest in the world. But you're, you're spot on here. See, you can't have. It's why Alabama's in. Alabama looked terrible in that game. Right? They got completely dismantled in that game. But you can't penalize them for playing in a conference championship game. Which goes back to your point you can't play meaningless games like Ohio State, Indiana was, it was a great football game and both teams left on the field. But in reality you didn't prove anything. Right. That's why using it as a stepping zone, as a play in makes way more sense than having the, you know, Ohio State and Indiana play for really nothing.
- [07:38]
Scott Frost
If you want to see how to run the best sports league in the world, just watch what the NFL does. And what do they keep doing? They, when they have a chance, they've, they've expanded the playoffs and then the wild card because it adds more value to the regular season because now you're coming down the stretch at the end of the season and it's like, hey, if I win this game, I get into the wild card. If I win this game, we get home field advantage. And so I am always going to be a proponent of that. You know, people say, you know, this past summer I said something about non conference scheduling. Why would you do it if you're already playing nine conference games? And I got ridiculed. But meanwhile, Texas is one of the best teams in the country. Texas loses to Ohio State the beginning of the year with a new, like you said, a new starting quarterback. And really that one loss might have kept them out of getting into the, into the, into the playoff. And if Texas is in the playoff, I think they, they probably make a lot of noise with the way they're playing at the end of the year. So like, but like, so like these things about scheduling and, and, and playing like they're all real and people, you know, they, they, they, they have to want to talk about them. I, I think what coach Saban said, like hey, you have to be ranked at this level if you're going to get into this playoff. I think that makes total sense. You just, cause you win a conference if you're the 23rd, 25th ranked team, whatever you are, like there's a team at 13 that deserves to probably be in it. And yeah, I feel for that. Like I said, I feel for the teams that didn't get in.
- [08:52]
Matt Rule
So let's go back to the Texas point because it's so, it's so right. Like when you have, you get a kid like Arts, just really first time, full time starter. So there's going to be a curve. The whole thing is about playing the season, but you don't want to disincentify, decentify teams by not playing each other early. It's good for the sport to have that first weekend, have big games, right? Like those kickoff classics, all those games that first week, like you're playing Cincinnati, like those fun games like you, you. We need that. And you don't want to, you don't want to make sure that teams aren't going to schedule that because it can hurt you like it hurt Notre Dame.
- [09:36]
Scott Frost
There's no doubt. And you know, I, I really think there's a way to, to, to expand the playoff, have, have conferences play in and make it really, really exciting. We're like the beginning of the season is exciting, that if you improve during the year, the end of the year is exciting. And to your point, what are you trying to do? You're trying to get the 12 best teams. Now, I'll be honest with you, I still think it's to me more about achievement. I don't care if it's the first game of the year or the last game of the year. Who did you beat? That's a good team. If you beat good teams, if you beat those teams and you deserve to get in. Sometimes we just talk about the eye test, but if you haven't played anybody, I don't want to hear about it. You have to play hard teams, play difficult teams and beat them to get yourself in. But you know, if you're in the sec, if you're in the Big Ten right now, I think you should be clamoring, you know, clamoring for, hey, we want more teams in the playoff because those are two really hard leagues to play in.
- [10:32]
Matt Rule
I like expanding the field this way. You don't d. You don't incentivize teams from playing each other early. You can include the smaller schools because you want that, that element. Even though football is different than basketball, it is in a huge way when it comes to the smaller programs, I don't know, I look at this whole thing and I think there's gotta be a way to incorporate all the bowls and make this one big tournament. Is that possible?
- [11:03]
Scott Frost
Well, just think about this, think about if this past weekend, if the two highest ranked group of five teams from whatever conference you know they're coming from, if the two highest ranked group of five teams would have played on championship weekend for the group of five championship, right? So whether they're coming from the Mountain west or the American or whatever the leagues are like, so you have a Big Ten championship game. If you have an SEC championship game, what if you also had a Group of 5 championship game? What if, what if those teams are playing and the winner of that now gets in? I mean, I think that would be really, really a cool idea. They added playing games in the NCAA tournament a couple years ago, and that's just another night of great, great basketball. So you have to understand, people, I'll get probably yelled at for this, but, like, trying to play week after week in the SEC or in the Big Ten is going to take a toll on your team. And so you deserve, if you get through those leagues, you deserve a higher ranking than playing at a lower level. I've coached at the different levels. I see the difference. I see the difference now, and it's significant. So give those teams a chance to play in, you know, give them a chance to be in the tournament, and who knows what they'll do. James Madison's a really good football team. Tulane's a good football team, but, you know, having to go play in the SEC week after week, the Big Ten week after week, it takes a toll on a team.
- [12:18]
Matt Rule
Do you, you buy any of the committee almost as a statement to Notre Dame to, to join the acc, to join a conference like, this is what you get if you don't play in a conference.
- [12:30]
Scott Frost
I'm not a big conspiracy theorist on those things. You know, at the end of the day, though, like, I mean, you know, being in a conference, you know, if you win, if you win the conference championship game, you know, you're automatically in. And so, you know, that, that, that, that's what allowed those teams to, to, to get in. You know, I think the unique one is just again, the, the, the ACC championship game and tiebreaker and having Miami at 10 and 2 not be in. And kudos to Manny Diaz and Duke for going out there and beating Virginia, a really good football team that had beaten them by 17. They came back and beat them again. The question you'd have to say to yourself, if you're in the ACC and I'm not, so. But they should be saying themselves is like, hey, did we put the two best teams in our championship game? Did we, did we have the best. Did we give ourselves the best chance to get, you know, to get a team in? So that, that, that to me, I think every conference has to really probably look at that moving forward.
- [13:20]
Matt Rule
Hey, one of the things, too, is just the schedule, right? Like, so we're coming up on bowl season, we have the playoffs, and then, you know, you have the Portal, which is around the corner, right? You, the dates, everything is jumbled, yet all the coaching drama. I don't even know how you handle this stuff, because with everybody in the portal and you got kids who don't want to be a part of it, even though you just said it too, like, you young players need these practices. This is a huge deal. To get three weeks of practice in for a bowl game is a good thing. How do you kind of don't just think it has to be fixed again.
- [14:01]
Scott Frost
Coach Saban, on, who has perspective on college game day two weeks ago, said the calendar has to be fixed. So, you know, I was one of those guys in the Big Ten meetings. I was voting for a May portal. Like, shouldn't, shouldn't, shouldn't young people, like, go there even if they still. Not everyone's going to be an NFL hall of Famer. Like, they need an education. Like, should they go to the fall and the spring, and then if they, if they're unhappy at the end of the year, then hit the Portal, not be thinking about it, like, at the end of their season. Like, like, this is. This is crazy. And then it would, it would change. Like, we used to have our signing day used to be in February. Yeah, high school kids sign in February. But then we wanted to. Then we wanted to move that up, which, which, you know, I understand. But you look at the after effects now you have coaches not coaching their teams in the College Football Playoff, I mean, because they're trying to get a head start on the next thing. But if we had the signing date, which was more traditional like it used to be, if we had the Portal in May, I mean, even, even like our financial year, like in the NFL, that you get paid at the end of the league year. Here we have the Portal. Kids are making decisions in January, which really, they're making them in December, then as a result, but they're making them in January. But they're getting paid by their school. They should be getting paid through the whole financial year, which ends in June. So it made a ton of sense, like, hey, let's do it in May. But, you know, some conferences weren't on board. You know, it's just, you're trying to do it for all the sports, you know, the financial year. But I think Coach David hit it on the head. If the portal's in May, schools aren't jumping, they're not trying. They're not firing coaches in the middle of the season. They're not like, they just finished the year out. And then, you know, kids play in the bowl game because they're wanting to develop themselves, and they go through spring practice, and if they're unhappy, then, then so be it. Right? But. But this is exactly.
- [15:41]
Matt Rule
Because now kids will play in the ball games now kids will have that. That last bit of tape to show if they want to go into the portal. There's so much there. You have such an understanding of where everybody's at.
- [15:55]
Scott Frost
And I think, honestly, you know, you have. There's so many sides, and everyone has their own, like, hey, what's going to be best for me? It's kind of like the playoff. Like, every league has a different intention. So because there's no commissioner of college football, because there's no, like, governing body that just kind of, like, says, this is what we're doing. And because it's all the sports, yet everyone's always fighting for, like, what they want. But, like, what we've seen over the last three weeks should tell us that, like, hey, guys, like, from what college football was five years ago to what it is now, we have broken a lot of things and we have to fix them. And so part of it's the calendar. Make the portal date, like I said, at the end of the academic year, make the financial year, match the academic year, have kids go to school for a full year and then transfer at the end of the school year. Like, this is still school. So it just brings up the larger point, man.
- [16:41]
Sam Hoiberg
There needs.
- [16:42]
Scott Frost
There needs to be, like, a true leadership. Not from one conference, but, like, hey, this is what's best for the game. Because if you're not. If you're not careful, man, like, the game becomes unrecognizable at some point.
- [16:51]
Matt Rule
We don't.
- [16:52]
Scott Frost
We don't want that. It's a great. You know, it's the greatest thing in the world, college football.
- [16:54]
Matt Rule
I know. It's the best. That's why I think. I think save it for commissioner. I think the sport needs a commissioner. It needs. It needs someone to actually look and see what's best for the game. And a guy like Saban is the perfect guy for that job.
- [17:13]
Scott Frost
I can tell you this. I know most coaches, I know me, if that was on the table, I certainly would vote yes, because he's been in the trenches, he has experience, he has the vision and you know, and then you also have to have someone who has the guts and the toughness to make hard decisions because you're not going to make everyone happy.
- [17:29]
Matt Rule
Right?
- [17:30]
Scott Frost
And, you know, like, that's why the NFL has, you know, Roger Goodell. Like, he's going to do things even if people don't like them. He's going to do what's right for the game. And they protect the league and for us, like our, we, our conferences are our league. So, you know, everyone's protecting their own conference. And that's why things end up being maybe a little disjointed as a result. So shoot. Come on, Coach Saban, do it, man. We need you. The holidays are upon us, and that means we're all on the hunt for the next great gift idea for our loved ones. That's why I want to give the sponsor of today's video, SeatGeek, a big shout out. With over 35 million downloads, SeatGeek is the number one rated ticketing app. There are more than 70,000 events listed on SeatGeek, including concerts, sports events, festivals, and more. The NFL and college football are in full swing. The NBA is officially back, and right now you can get World cup tickets on SeatGeek. I love using SeatGeek to be honest with you. Like Zach Bryant's Coming to Town journeys Coming to town. Bert Kreischer, wicked in Omaha. SeatGeek has your back. Each ticket is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, so you know you're getting a good deal. So look for the green dots. Green means good, red means bad. Plus, every ticket is backed by their buyer guarantee. And of course, we have a code for you guys. Use code Rule10 for 10% off your next set of tickets at SeatGeek. That's 10% off any tickets with promo code Rule10. Make sure you click the link in the description to download the app and have the code automatically added to your account so you can use it later. Thank you. Sea Geek. Levrack was born on a Nebraska farm built by a few guys who just wanted to make better use of their space. What they came up with is simple and effective. A mobile aisle storage system that combines shelving and other storage accessories to help you organize everything and get more room out of the space you already have. It's the kind of setup that makes you stop and say, man, that's pretty cool. What started in a farm shop has grown into one of the toughest, smartest storage systems out there. From home garages and workshops to equipment rooms, military bases, and warehouses across the country. Levrack is built to handle it all. Made right here in the USA by people who take pride in doing things the right way. Clean, strong and built to last. Check them out@levrack.com and make room for what matters. What's up, everybody? Welcome to another episode of Office Hours with my man. Like, literally my favorite athlete, I think, on this campus. The one and only Sam Hoiberg.
- [20:07]
Sam Hoiberg
Thanks for having me on.
- [20:08]
Scott Frost
So just, just. I asked you this off the record, but, but better shooter, Fred.
- [20:14]
Sam Hoiberg
Sam, I gotta give it to pops. I told you he led the league in three point shooting percentages last year. That's a high bar. I'll give that to him. I think I'm probably faster and jump higher and play better defense, so I'll give myself that.
- [20:27]
Scott Frost
Now. Your dad also was a great football player, but I swear you could come out here and you could start for us at slot receiver, at safety. Any other sports you love growing up besides basketball?
- [20:38]
Sam Hoiberg
Yeah, well, I played football growing up. I was quarterback, running back, linebacker. Quit early because golf season was the same season as football in Illinois. And golf was my number one sport at that time. I'm a scratch golfer now. I did want to be a college golfer for a while.
- [20:53]
Scott Frost
Gosh. So you're a scratch golfer. You're one of the best basketball players in the Big Ten. What can't you do? What sport can you not do?
- [21:01]
Sam Hoiberg
I'm pretty terrible at bowling. Really? Bowling? Like, I mean, got like a 130 or something, probably in sixth grade with the bumpers on. Other than that, I'm terrible.
- [21:11]
Scott Frost
I had a chance to sit courtside the other night and watch you guys play. Like, why? What is the secret sauce on this team? Like, you guys seem like you play really well together. I don't know much about basketball, but, like, you're really fun to watch. What is it about this team that's so cool?
- [21:24]
Sam Hoiberg
I mean, you look back a couple years ago and we kind of changed the culture, turned this thing around. Our biggest thing was getting good guys that are going to buy in. And we have really good chemistry this year. All of us get along. And even the guys that may be expected to have a bigger role that are playing on the bench a little bit more now. They're rooting us on. They're not being down all the time. Everyone has a great attitude. And when you're bought in doing the concepts right and execute, that's when you can play well.
- [21:49]
Scott Frost
What's it like being a coach's kid? Like Any cool stories about your dad just absolutely getting after you?
- [21:54]
Sam Hoiberg
I mean, honestly, he was pretty chill on us. I think, outside of coaching. Like, he never really coached us growing up. He got pretty pissed at us because me and my twin brother are so fiery and super competitive with each other on the golf course. There'd be times where we probably chuck a club at each other or something like that. There's a story where we played in our first tournament against each other, probably, like, second grade, and I shot a 48 and he shot a 49, and he ran at the cart, just ran behind the cart, chasing me down because he was so pissed. So he got on us for our attitudes a bit. But honestly, in terms of, like, basketball, he wasn't super. Like, he didn't push us into it. He just kind of let us get that love naturally for it, which was great.
- [22:34]
Scott Frost
I love watching your dad courtside. Just such a calm demeanor. Is that like, that at halftime? Is it, like, in the locker room or. Is there ever a switch that's flipped and can you see it coming when it happens?
- [22:46]
Sam Hoiberg
Yeah, I mean, I feel like I can kind of feel it. He hates turnovers. He hates when we're not executing. And like, for example, last year, Northwestern, we were down probably close to 20 at halftime. He came in and punched a whiteboard. He had a wrap on his hand. I think that's kind of a famous picture. But, yeah, there's definitely a switch that gets flipped. And people don't see it very often, but it comes out occasionally. Yeah, I mean, I feel like I can kind of feel it. He hates turnovers. He hates when we're not executing. And, like, for example, I think that's kind of a famous picture. But, yeah, there's a.
- [23:17]
Scott Frost
There's definitely what's the good and the bad of doing that?
- [23:20]
Sam Hoiberg
I mean, obviously, when you're winning, it's a ton of fun. We had some rough years with the Bulls, and those fans were brutal in Chicago. They don't care about your feelings there. And I was in middle school seeing, you know, comments talking about firing him and stuff like that. People made Instagram pages and would comment on me and my twin brother's shared account. And we're middle schoolers just talking bad about him. So that's. I mean, it can get pretty rough, but when you're winning, there's nothing better. It's so much fun to go to those games. Those Iowa State years were so much fun, and now being a part of it as a player has been unbelievable.
- [23:49]
Scott Frost
We're getting Ready to go to Vegas and play in the Vegas Bowl. You guys are on this fantastic run right now, and it feels like a lot of it started in Vegas last year at the crown. Did you feel like anything started there that's propelled into this year, or are they just separate?
- [24:02]
Sam Hoiberg
Yeah, I think. Well, if you look at the kind of the time of when we got some of these recruits to commit, it was around the time when we were winning those games in the crown. And you get some positive momentum after finishing really bad in the regular season. To be able to go finish, get to 20 wins and get a championship and then show these players that were in the portal how we play and what it looks like when we play well, that was super important. And obviously we've continued to use that momentum into the season.
- [24:28]
Scott Frost
When basketball's all said and done, when you're done playing, and I'm thinking you're going to play for a long time, but when basketball is all said and done, you're going to do what?
- [24:35]
Sam Hoiberg
I want to get into sports commentary analyst stuff. I've been working in some of my classes to, you know, kind of do mock games. Right now I'm calling games in a classroom and I'm maybe going to call high school games this year, but I want to be a color commentator and get on tv.
- [24:50]
Scott Frost
I love that. Yeah, you'd be great at that.
- [24:52]
Sam Hoiberg
It'd be awesome. 20 wins and get a championship and then show these players that were in the portal. I love football. I love coming to the games. I'm not. I haven't played since, like, sixth grade, so I'm not going to act like I know the X's and O's. Absolutely love what you're doing. I actually have a podcast. I won't name it right now. It doesn't need to go viral, but we talked about how we're a Matt Rule podcast. We believe in what you're doing, but I just love seeing the improvement when I got here wasn't very good. And now we're obviously improving the same way we did. So that's been fun to see.
- [25:23]
Scott Frost
Yeah, you know, it's the thing that I've really respected about the basketball since I got here is it's like it's improving and people always want it to be faster. We all want it to be faster. But now you see, you guys, I mean, you're out there against. You're out there against Creighton, and it's not even close. I mean, that was a fun thing to be a part of, but it's the hard work that you put in, your dad's put in, and the team's put in. Overnight success takes a long time sometimes.
- [25:46]
Sam Hoiberg
Yeah, it does. I mean, you look. Year three for us was my first year here. We won 10 games. Didn't win our first 10 conference games, something like that. And it can change over time. And you need to put the work in, build the culture. And as a coach's kid, I know it's not going to happen like that. And it's been really fun to be a part of a team that's really changed that culture, and we can see it in you guys as well.
- [26:07]
Scott Frost
All right, so recruits, watch this. Football recruits, basketball recruits. I mean, I get people all across the country who say they watch this. What's the best part about not even being a student athlete? Just being a student at the University of Nebraska?
- [26:21]
Sam Hoiberg
I mean, we always talk about the fans. They're the best fans in the country, and every fan base says that. But it's really true with Nebraska. But I mean, just being in this area, we have the best facilities, the training table. Like, you just have so many amazing people around. It's really the people that make the town, and it's just a fun college experience. You make your best friends here, and, I mean, there's no better place to be, in my opinion.
- [26:44]
Scott Frost
All right, we'll finish with this. You and me. Now, you know, I'm like a 20, 21. You and me versus your dad and my son.
- [26:51]
Sam Hoiberg
Okay, who wins? I mean, how good is your son?
- [26:55]
Scott Frost
He's probably like a 12.
- [26:57]
Sam Hoiberg
Oh, we got him.
- [26:58]
Scott Frost
As long as I get strokes, there's one thing I will do, one thing I will do, I will make a putt. If there's a whole that I'm having, like a stroke or two on, I will come through for you at some point.
- [27:06]
Sam Hoiberg
Listen, as long as I get a range session before, get a few rounds in, we're going to win that match. No question.
- [27:11]
Scott Frost
You heard it here first. Maybe we'll do it for charity, maybe we'll do it for the community, but we're going to do it. The rules and Hoibergs. My money's on Sam. You know, one of the things I really appreciate in football and in life is when people just do things the right way with integrity and care. And that's exactly what I appreciate about the folks at Baxter Ford. There's a reason they say, we won't sell you a car. We'll help you buy one. Because when you walk into Baxter Ford, that's how it feels. There's no high pressure, just a desire to help you find the right vehicle. And it's not just a slogan. They've done the work to transform their process and deliver you a better car buying experience. At Baxter Ford, there are no handoffs, no hassles, and no hidden fees, meaning you work with one person from start to finish. They give you a competitive and transparent price right up front and what you see is what you pay. So absolutely no doc fees buried in the fine print. It's honest, straightforward, and they treat you like a teammate, not a transaction. So if you're thinking about a new Ford F150 Explorer, Bronco, whatever fits your family, check out Baxter Ford in Omaha or Papillion and shop online anytime@baxterford.com My guest today was a captain and all American safety here at Nebraska, a second round draft pick in the NFL and now he's on the coaching staff of the San Francisco 49ers. From leading the black shirts to coaching One of the NFL's best defenses, his impact on the game just keeps growing. I'm fired up to. Welcome to the podcast, a fellow Husker for life, Daniel Bullocks. Thanks, coach. Appreciate you coming on, man. I can't imagine your schedule. This is awesome. Thank you, man.
- [28:53]
Daniel Bullocks
Thanks for having me, coach, man. It's a pleasure to be on the show. It's busy right now getting ready for the Arizona Carters this week for a big game at their home place that's.
- [29:02]
Scott Frost
Well, that means even more to us. So you know, this is our, this is. You understand, I understand your schedule and the fact that you do this is really cool. So you were a captain, an all American and really a tone setter at Nebraska. When you look back and you look back at your time here, what did you learn that. That or what did this place do to you that's made you the coach, the man, the player, all the things that you've done. What did Nebraska do for you?
- [29:29]
Daniel Bullocks
It did a lot of things for me as a player. You know, the first thing that comes to mind is the work ethic that I had in Nebraska, what it took to be successful at Nebraska, you know, becoming a black shirt, being the hardest working player on the team and showing up at practice, showing up, being on time. Not only just being on time, but putting out as a player. You know, not just showing up, but making sure that you put your best foot forward every single day. And on top of that, just being a pro, being where you supposed to be, you know, I said communicating with other coaches and my academic advisors, making sure that I'm good on and off the field as well. And one thing I'm most proud of at the University of Nebraska is getting my degree. And I wouldn't be able to do that without my teammates, without my academic advisor to supporting Cass at the University of Nebraska. So I take my hat off to them guys. For all the guys that helped me and the people that I met, you know, it's the greatest fan base at the University of Nebraska. You know, them guys show out every. Every week, coming to the game and sell out. You know, it's an unbelievable place. And Nebraska always behold to me, but it made a major impact on my life.
- [30:31]
Scott Frost
Do you remember when you. When you first got your black shirt? Do you remember the day that you.
- [30:35]
Daniel Bullocks
You.
- [30:35]
Scott Frost
You got the black shirt? Do you remember it?
- [30:37]
Daniel Bullocks
Yeah, I remember. It was 2003, I believe. Frank Soldiers, our head coach, and Bo Pelini was our defensive coordinator. And I think I started like the third game of the season. I remember when he had a defensive meeting and he gave out the black shirts, man, I was super excited because my got identical twin brother who got his black shirt. So he used to always crack jokes on me like, man, you ain't gonna never get a black shirt. When I first got it, man, it felt like yesterday, you know what I'm saying? Just a passion, you know, all the dedication and commitment that I put into it to get that jersey and just out of respect amongst my teammates and my coaches, was a big honor to get it.
- [31:11]
Scott Frost
You and your brother, both safeties competing, pushing each other every day. What was that? What was that like as a player?
- [31:17]
Daniel Bullocks
It was an awesome experience. You know, you living a dream by playing at the University of Nebraska first and then just be able to do it with your twin brother, you know, was awesome as well. We know each other very well. You know, to play defensive back on the back end, you got to be able to communicate. And there were times where we didn't have to communicate with each other. We can just look at each other, you know, and know what each other thinking. So it was fun in that aspect of him. He'd be like, hey, he called me db. Hey, db. Just get down the box, take care of the run game. Let me play. Let me play the post back here and go get the football when he does that. So it was fun just being able to play off him and play with the other teammates that we had on our team. Since we had a great defense, great team as well. It Was fun. It was awesome.
- [31:52]
Scott Frost
That's awesome. What's one story like that sticks with you from your time here? Anything that when you think back to being here, that one thing that you.
- [32:00]
Daniel Bullocks
Think of and one thing is, you know, taking pictures. You know we take team pictures and me and my brother, we switch pictures. So he took my photo, I took his photo. So every time, every time we threw the balls up on game day, Coach, every time we threw the balls up, if I made a play, they'd be seeing my brother on the big screen, his photo and vice versa.
- [32:21]
Scott Frost
That's amazing.
- [32:22]
Daniel Bullocks
I always crack jokes about that all the way to this, to this day.
- [32:25]
Scott Frost
That's awesome. I wonder if anyone actually really know if anyone else knew that though. If anyone else knows that.
- [32:31]
Daniel Bullocks
It's a few people that knew that. It was a couple guys that was on the field that was black shirts at the time, they knew that as well. So we always crack jokes. My mom, we always cracking jokes with her and my sister and all that. So we always cracking jokes about that. But that was fire.
- [32:43]
Scott Frost
What was it like playing for coach Solich? What was his, you know, his impact on you?
- [32:48]
Daniel Bullocks
Man, it was awesome playing for coach Solic. You know, he's a players coach. You know, he always going to be honest with you, he always going to let you know where you at. You know, he was a good coach for his developing guys. You know, he was well rounded. He just didn't only know the offense, he knew the special teams, he knew the defense as well and he was a good communicator too as well. You know, how to communicate and connect with the players. You know, that's one thing that stood out the most. But just seeing his smile every day, you just wanted to play hard for him and he did an incredible job.
- [33:13]
Scott Frost
Obviously you played here, you played in the league, now you're coaching. As a coach, what did your playing experience do for you as a coach? Dealing with, you know, the stress, the pressure of the guys have to deal with nowadays. Like what are some things you took from your playing time that you now use as a coach.
- [33:29]
Daniel Bullocks
Man, you know, I've been in old guys shoes so I know how they prepare. You know, when I was a player I knew how to prepare, you know, and first preparation, know how to watch tape, you know, my coach talking how to watch tape. When you're watching the tape, you know, you're watching from the front to the back, you know, knowing what they going through on and off the field. Not just on the field, but hopefully just taking Care of your body too as well, you know, it's a player to take care of my body so I can stay available for my team, so I can stay on the field and play, you know. And there's some things that some guys don't catch light up. They just want to be great but don't understand that you got to take care of your body, you know, you got to know what you, you got to put good things in your body too as well and just know how to take care of your body mentally, physically, you know, saying make sure that you're doing everything that you can as a player. Utilize all your resources, you know where it's going to going to yoga, you know what I'm saying? Doing stretching, you know, putting extra work in the weight room, you know what I'm saying? Getting strong again faster, getting quicker, you know, doing all those things. Also meeting with another player off the field, you know, I'm saying just putting extra work for us where it's backpedal, working on your craft. So for me, and also from a financial standpoint, you know, I know a lot of guys, you guys got the nil deal financial advice, you know what I'm saying? Just advising guys in that situation, make sure they're making the right decision and make sure they choosing their friends wisely as well. So for me to just know that I was in their shoes, it's easy for me to connect with those guys because I get able to tell my story to those guys because I know what they going through and also the relationship that I built them guys, I'm able to challenge them and demand more from them as a coach and a player too as well.
- [34:54]
Scott Frost
During my time in the NFL when I was an assistant at the Giants, guys like Chris Snee, they really taught me a lot as a young coach. And then during my time in Carolina, there was a player that we had, Stefan Gilmore and Steph, like for me, he forever changed my mind of what it meant to be a pro. Like we played Atlanta, he had the game winning interception. We get back to Charlotte, everybody goes home and he goes right to the facility to start getting himself ready for the next week. Are there any players that you've had that to you or like have impacted you as a coach or have helped you? Like the way Steph helped me, man.
- [35:32]
Daniel Bullocks
Mark Juan Manuel, you know, he's one guy, he's defensive back coach for New York Giants. I was able to play with him with the Detroit Lions and he taught me how to watch, you know, watch fam you know, I was going into my rookie year, actually my. Yeah, my rookie year. And he. They brought him on a team. He'd been in the league for a while for like 10, 10 to 12 years. As a Satan. I used to watch tape and I used to always just watch the pass plays. And he like, hey, hey, run that back. Let's. Let's watch the run game. You know what I'm saying? He's like. I said, all right, he said, how you look at the run game? And he said, you know, what type of run schemes that they run? You know, whether they zone scheme or, you know, a gap scheme, team, what not two background, one back. So he impacted my life in regards to that, how to watch teams. So he changed my perspective, how I studied tape as a player at that time. And also when I became a coach, you know what I'm saying, When I'm teaching from the room, always starting with the run game start and then get to the pass game and what type of runs they running with.2 back of one back set. So he impacted my life in that area.
- [36:26]
Scott Frost
You know, The San Francisco 49ers have had such a great defensive culture for four years now. Like, what is it about the rooms that you guys are in? What is it about the locker room, the coaching staff that you guys continually, year after year, put out great defenses?
- [36:41]
Daniel Bullocks
Man, you know, I take my hat off to Kyle Shanahan, you know, and John Lynch. Those guys do a great job for us bringing in the right people. You know, we always talk about the culture and it's the people that you hire. You know, it's on the coaching staff or where's a player that you bringing in on your team? And it starts off with our evaluation of a player. You know, we want to make sure that that player, you know what I'm saying, represents our style of play. And we talking about represent our style play. Cal always talk about the silent take, you know, and what is that solid take, you know, and the solid tape is how desperate that kid playing on tape, you know, like, is he. Is he the hardest worker on the field? Is he getting to the ball faster than anybody? Is he playing violent? Is he playing desperate? You know, is he making plays? And then on top of that, from a character standpoint, what type of guy is this guy? You know, is he a good kid? Is he a leader? You know what I'm saying? Is he smart? We want to bring all those guys in our building and we want to coach and teach them so we feel like we can get all those guys, you know what I'm saying, to help us out and be great with our evaluation and stick to it, then you know it will pay off. And you can see we're bringing in guys like George Kittle. We draft in the fifth round, you know, who's going to bring a work that who's a leader. You know, you look at Fred Warner, they were drafting the third round, both of those guys are all pro players. And then when you look at you go get Nick Bosa, you know, so that's bringing all those guys onto the team right there. From a character standpoint, from a work ethic standpoint, from a leadership standpoint and a style of play, you know, if you come here, you know the style that you got to play for us when you play for the 49ers, how you got to carry yourself and represent for the 49ers. So and you get that all three levels. On defense, Fred Warner linebacker Nick Bose said Satan and when we had telling o' Fara fifth round draft picker went out pro nymph Javaris Ward a corner too as well. So it kind of set the foundation for the rest of the team. You know, on offense, defense, special teams, we got guys at every level that represent our style of play. And our coach is easy for the next guy to come in but we want to make sure that we doing a thorough evaluation to make sure that we get the right guy on top of that. So it make our job a lot easier.
- [38:41]
Scott Frost
I'm literally going to just steal what you just said and play at the next team meeting. That's the silent tape. That is amazing. But I love that because you know, as I'm coaching this, you know I'm coaching 16, 17 now 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 year old young men. And it's like, hey, I made this play. It's on Instagram and it's like, you know, hey, let's talk about these other plays. You know, like we have receivers right now that I would tell you I'm proud of the way our receivers block. Like they go in there and they're hunting and it's not a catch, it's not something that, you know, the stats show. But for what you just said, I mean like that's what John lynch is looking for, that's what Kyle Shanahan's looking for. That's what you're looking for and that's, that's how you have a great, that's how you have a great defense. The way you guys have it absolutely when, when you're, when you start talking about defensive back play, you know, and you're coaching rookies coming in, what areas do you find that college guys are coming in are deficient? Where do you have to work with them the most to get them to be, you know, pro ready, man, mentally.
- [39:39]
Daniel Bullocks
You know, first of all, start out with fundamentals, technique. They were saying, when I evaluate a kid, you know, I know what he can, he does good, but I want to make sure I look at his weakness first, you know, and I want to improve his weakness, you know, and that weakness, where it's open field tackling, where it's man courage, or where you playing off coverage, where you playing press coverage, you know what I'm saying? Or attacking, you know what I'm saying? If you got, it's going to leave his feet, you know what I'm saying? How can we give him a better tackle player? I want to look at his weakness first. So once I know that, we come up with a plan and we call a thing called get better. So when I evaluate a player, if they represent our style, they smart, they violent, and they can finish plays outside of the athleticism, they speed and they size or whatnot. Once I bring them in, I give them a get better play. I get better to plan. So what they get better playing mean is all right, These are things that you do good at. And you know, it may be, I may be good in zone coverage, you know what I'm saying? As I'm a corner, you know, so I may be good as a post safety in the deep middle of the field, or I may be good as a nickelback, fit in the right game, you know what I'm saying? But here's some areas where you can improve on as a player that I seen your game where maybe open field tackling, maybe blessing. So I'm gonna get that kid that plan on top of that cut up, and then once he get here, we gonna work on those things every day and I'm gonna keep that player connected, you know what I'm saying? We painted a vision, keep that player connected, and then we're gonna make sure that we take the steps necessary to make sure he become a better player. But the biggest thing I'm saying for college guys coming into the NFL is the game is mental, you know, saying, once you teach the kid fundamentals and technique, all right, from an office standpoint, how often is attacking us? Once you become a fundamental technician, you got your techniques down, how are this attacking our defense? You know, I'm saying how they attacking your specific techniques, what routes are they right? What run plays are they running? If I'm a corner and they line up with a stack and they got a back out set or it's in die like I'm getting ready for crack toss, Just trying to get them anticipating, make more plays and play fast at a faster rate.
- [41:29]
Scott Frost
That's fascinating. How do you so, so as part of that you talked about the get better plan. You talked about mentally like how do you, how do you build that accountability and trust within the room? You know, once, once you, I mean you have a bunch of guys, they all can make plays. How do you maintain that?
- [41:45]
Daniel Bullocks
Well, it's just about being consistent, you know, saying for the most part just being consistent with the liftings and it's a process with it. So every snap we call it eat the cake. Cake, you know, and what the cake means is cake. The C and the cake stands for get the call, you know what I'm saying? Then the A and K stand, get a line, you know, I'm saying the K stands for keep, read your keys and then E execute. So at the end of the day, no matter what we call on defense, you got to eat the cake. So if you eat the cake and go through that every snap, your chance is going to be successful on top of you executing your technique. Now the thing is, outside of that, I, how can we talk about offensive play? You know what I'm saying? For us, fitting the pass game or fit in the right game, and then we grade them every, every snap, we grade them every snap and hold them accountable to that where it's at practice, where it's walkthroughs, we record everything, everything is getting evaluated, you know what I'm saying? So everything is getting graded. So after we come off the practice field where it's walk through with the walkthrough for us, fit in the run game first, second down or fit the pass game first, second down, you know, say, oh, a third down, going through a third down. We evaluate everything and every player will get a grade. And when he come in, we watch tape, we evaluate it and then I show that kid his grade, you know what I'm saying? And this is what he did good this way he did bad at. And we keep him connected to that and hold them accountable every single time. So once you hit one individual, we hit the next individual. So by the time the whole week is over, I didn't hit every individual throughout the whole week. And they understand how they got better. What Things they need to get improved on and things that they are doing good at, and we keep them connected that way. And not only from a position coach. It can be my assistant coach too, as well, and also the defensive coordinator. I don't need guys accountable.
- [43:23]
Scott Frost
What do you think most people don't. Don't realize about coaching NFL players? Like, what are some misconceptions? You know, you think people think it's.
- [43:31]
Daniel Bullocks
Easy because you got the best player in the world, a coach? You know, it's not. That ain't always the case. You know, that kid still got to be great with his fundamentals and his technique. You know, you still got to be able to play the position, you know, at that point, like I said, you can go get Nick Bosa and yeah, it's easy to coach Nick Bosa well, you know, from a technique standpoint, how can he rush the passer better? You know what I'm saying? What techniques he can use or what techniques he can add to his repertoire to win at a higher rate, you know, Whereas Foreigner, you go get. We drafted Jalen Rams in the fifth overall pick in Jacksonville Jaguars. When I win him, you know, like, man, he's easy to coach him, but yeah, he played press, but now can he play off? I need to teach him. I need to involve this game to teach him how to play off, man, to teach him how to play catch, man, you know, So I think that perspective always is not easy, you know, Coach, you know, the hours that we put in, regardless, at any level, you still got to be able to teach the guys, you know what I'm saying? That's right. So you need fundamentals to prepare these guys so they can go out there on the field and be successful.
- [44:29]
Scott Frost
Yeah, I think that's one of the things that, like, when I think about, you know, me as a coach, I think about the guys that work for me or the guys I've been around, you know, I think the best coaches, the players that they coach can say, hey, what? I played my best football under coach, so and so, you know, so, like, you know, Nick Bosa, George KITTLE, I have McCaffrey, you know, are they playing their best football in their time under you or. And I think when you start holding yourself accountable, that as coaches, man, it makes you. Makes you have to do all the things you talked about, get them to eat the cake and get them to keep them connected, make sure their technique and fundamentals. Because you want them to play their best football under you.
- [45:07]
Daniel Bullocks
Absolutely. And that's my job as a Position coach, making sure our great players play, play better, you know what I'm saying? Our good players play great, you know, and our average players play good. And that's, that's our job as position coach. Make sure that we get the most out players on and off the field.
- [45:22]
Scott Frost
So obviously you've been around a lot of great coaches. You know, you've worked with Kyle Shanahan, you worked with Robert Sala, d' Amigo Ryans, you know, going all the way back to Coach Solic, Coach Polini. What are the, what are some things that you've noticed that you've learned from, from those guys that makes them so successful?
- [45:36]
Daniel Bullocks
There's four things that pop off, you know, and the first thing is all those guys are great teachers. You know, to be a coach in this game, you got to be great teachers, you know what I'm saying? In the classroom and on the field, you know, you got to be able to do it both. And then secondly, you know, saying be able to communicate, you know, you got to be able to communicate and connect with your players, not only your players, but your staff, you know, and make sure everybody on the same page. And then three, you got to be able to develop talent, you know, where if you got a certain scheme where you can develop players in your scheme or at your position. And that's three things that I see out of all those coaches. Kyle, you know, where he didn't dial with his career. Robert solid the same way the Miko Ryan, that's one thing I know. All three do things they had in common. On top of being a leader of men as well and having a strong work ethic. You know, them guys was always first in the building, the last one to leave, you know, they always put in that work and it was a leader of men.
- [46:27]
Scott Frost
You know, I've got 130, I think players, you know, and they all want to go play in the National Football League regardless of the position. What advice would you give them sitting in the same seats that you sat in and want to have the same career path you have? What advice would you give them when they're 18, 19, 20, to be able to accomplish what you've accomplished?
- [46:47]
Daniel Bullocks
I mean, first listen, you know, listen, you know, listen to your coaches, you know what I'm saying? Because they, the coaches and your best, you know what I'm saying? They have your best, your interest at best, you know what I'm saying? Listen to them and tell you coach and be coachable, you know what I'm saying? For want to be coachable. And then that silent tape, like, you got to play desperate. I love that, you know what I'm saying? You got to play desperate. Like, you got to play like your life depend on getting to the ball, you know what I'm saying? Like, when you turn on that tape, like, you got to be the fast. If you 47 like you, you got to be like the fastest guy running to the football. It got to mean something to you, you know what I'm saying? Because those are guys that we want to coach and teach. And if you're doing that, we know that you care, you know what I'm saying? And we know that's your why, you know, and on top of that, you know what I'm saying? Like, high character, like one guys that. That are high character guys, you know I'm saying? Guys that we can trust on and off the field, you know what I'm saying? Who's all about ball, you know what I'm saying? Who's a leader, you know? So who gonna show up and put out, you know, at the biggest thing. So that, that'd be my advice with those guys, you know what I'm saying? Make sure they listen to their coach, take their advices, be coachable, and then let that silent taste speaks for itself. And also, you know what I'm saying, a hard character dude that we looking for, that strong work ethic.
- [47:57]
Scott Frost
I'm always saying to people like, coach, what are you looking for? I want guys who love football. How do you. In the draft process, slash, maybe I guess even in free agency, taking the tape out, how do you figure out who really loves football and who just loves to be a football player?
- [48:11]
Daniel Bullocks
Man, like, we got a great team, you know, with our scouts, so, you know, they go to your. Your school, university, and they. And they do their homework on the player. They research. So they gonna talk to everybody about their kid. You know what these kids got on these students? Athletes got to understand is that when they come, when our scouts come around, they gonna talk to your professors, you know what I'm saying? They gonna talk to your friends, they gonna find out who you hanging around with. They gonna talk to all your academic advisors, they gonna talk to all the coaches on the coach staff, they gonna talk to the trainers, you know what I'm saying? They're gonna talk to everybody, and they're gonna try to get as much information as possible, all you. So by them, you'd be able to get all the information out by them talking to every person that you come in Contact with, they'll know whether you like football or not, you know what I'm saying? That's the easiest way, you know what I'm saying? Cause they gonna like, yeah, this kid like football. This kid love football. This kid just like what football brings to them. That's what I'm saying. So when they bring it to our table, it's like, man, yeah, this kid right here, he loves football, you know what I'm saying? When you talk to the straight coach, you can tell the kid in that stretch room, he shows up every day, he's in there early, he the last one leave putting that extra work, or a scout come in, a kid out there working on the strong mot. You know, we're not a kid out there working on his backpedal. Like, we see all that and everything is on tape. So they're going to ask all those questions. But for me, when I get a chance to talk to the kid, where I zoom with him or bring him in, I can tell just about a passion he talk with when he talk about football, you know, you can tell, you can hear it in his voice, you know, when you how he talk about football. And I put him on the board and see what he know, you know what I'm saying? I'll put the click in his hand and let him know. I'm saying, watch tape and just explain to me the defense, what they running, you know, and what coverage they run and how he fitting, you know, from that standpoint. So it's different ways that we go about it, but we do a great job with our staff for us collaborating, getting all the information that we can on these guys. And you're right, that's the first thing we want guys that love football. And if you take a tape out of it, like, if you talking to a guy, like, you should feel when you talk football, you should be able to feel him, you know, whether you're on zoom or through the phone. Like, you should feel it. You should feel that passion, that fire.
- [50:08]
Scott Frost
What do you think the evolution of defensive football is in the National Football League moving forward? You see offenses, right? Like, they look more and more like Saturday offenses sometimes. You know, you see RPOs, you see quarterbacks running. What's the next steps defensively, man, you.
- [50:22]
Daniel Bullocks
Know, like everybody doing the spread offense, you know, you got to be able to defend RPOs and all that, you know what I'm saying? And it's been a lead for a little bit for a while, you know, and we understand that you got to make sure you have a scheme that can adapt and evolve and defend all those things. And which we feel like we have one of the best defensive schemes in football that is adjustable. We can go three down, we can go four down, we can go five down. We can adjust our coverage based off what we see or from a pressure standpoint if we tack and you know, say protection or whatnot. But I think the biggest thing is just the rules of the game. It's an offensive favor. You know, you can't tackle like you used to. So you got to have a tackle plan and you got to make sure you hit that, make sure you're keeping guys safe, you know what I'm saying? Make sure you guys lower their target, you know what I'm saying? On the strike zone or whatnot. To save money in pockets. Not only them, for, for player safety too as well, you know, and just understanding the rules. But that's football. Football will always evolve. It's the game is getting better and making it safer on I am. But as your scheme, you got to be able to evolve too along with it each and every year and make sure you do a self evaluation at the end of the year and see where you need to get better at to improve your scheme.
- [51:24]
Scott Frost
You know, you see it, I see it a lot right now in college football. You see like a ball thrown in the flat and a guy comes up and knives his knees and it's something that used to be like a dirty play, but you know, as they've lower as you said, as they've lowered the target. Like you don't see many people tackling high in college football anymore. I mean everybody's diving it. Like we literally like we're throwing stuff at our guys legs, getting running backs, you know, getting to jump out the way because that has really impacted tackling. And tackling is not very good right now, I don't think man.
- [51:49]
Daniel Bullocks
And that's one thing we emphasize here on the defense side of ball. Like the first thing we get, you got to be able to do. You got to be able to tackle. Tackle starts with a mindset like you. You gotta have. You gotta have the desire to want to the top. And that's going to be your biggest stat, you know what I'm saying? Whether you d line, whether you a line, burger safety or corner. Like your biggest stat is going to be tackling. So we going to emphasize tackling. You're going to have a tackle playing where we call different types of tackling, where it's a niner tackle you know, it's eyes through the thighs, 9, 0 roll or it's a knife tackle like you talk about, you know what I'm saying? We aiming for the outside thigh board or whatnot or, you know what I'm saying? We grab, squeeze, drive for 5, 4, 9 or drive tackle or whatnot. But we're going to make sure we give you guys a plan because like you say, they throw the ball to the kill zone, which is five yards from the ball. We got to kill it. But how am I killing though? I got to make sure that I'm fundamental technique sound to be able to get that guy down every single snap so I can play fast and I can play as valid as possible with no hesitation and have confidence that I can get this guy down by understanding my angle, my leverage and what I'm doing on contact.
- [52:49]
Scott Frost
You hear a lot of pro coaches talk about what, you know, the changes, you know, CBA changes in amount of times you can tackle and hit in training camp and you know, obviously the changes in the off season and is it hard to get to teach guys to tackle or give them a good tackle plan and get them to improve or does it just change the way you have to do it?
- [53:06]
Daniel Bullocks
I think you just have to change the way you have to do it because you understand it for like, for example, just lowering your strike zone, your target zone. Like you can't hit a guy above the neck, obviously, you know what I'm saying? But we aiming, you know what I'm saying, below the neck, above the knees, you know what I'm saying from that standpoint. But I think every rep is a tackling rep, you know what I'm saying? When you have football, you on the field where you in Indy, you know what I'm saying? Or where you in the team sitting or seven on seven. Like every rep is attacking rep. I might necessarily go to the ground. Well, my angle to the ball with them inside out, I'm sprinting the nearest thing inside out. Or I may be outside in, outside in on the ball, you know what I'm saying? My approach to the ball is going to be the same, you know I'm saying on contact with it. I may be running my feet on contact, we got full pass on, we talking to the ground or I'm just tagging out while I'm bending my knees, dropping my butt, tagging them off, you know what I'm saying? Going near foot, near shoulder, I'm still able to work the angles of it, you know what I'm saying? The tracking of it, you know what I'm saying? Also the contact part of it, but not necessarily taking to the ground. So I think every rep is still a tackle rep, whether you're taking a guy to the ground or not.
- [54:03]
Scott Frost
You need to come back here and hang out with us in your off season. We need to. We need to talk football, man. I'm serious.
- [54:12]
Daniel Bullocks
Oh, man, let's do it.
- [54:14]
Scott Frost
It's. It's great to hear. I love the accountability that you take. Like, hey, you know what? Like, we can talk about the hour. You know, like, you hear college coaches now, everything's change. But, like, all right, we'll go win. You'll figure it out. Let's. Let's take advantage, whatever the rules are. Let's figure it out. Let's win, man.
- [54:27]
Daniel Bullocks
We do it in. Hey, we can do it in the hallway. Like, you know, like every.
- [54:33]
Matt Rule
Every.
- [54:33]
Daniel Bullocks
Every drill is takeaway drill. Like, we. We doing all tips and over throws, you know, like, that's right.
- [54:39]
Scott Frost
Let's punch the ball out to get people on the ground. I love that.
- [54:42]
Daniel Bullocks
Hey, every room, every room, we got a ball on the wall, you knocking it out. You know, I go home, my daughters. I got four daughters and a beautiful wife. They knocking out my whole dad's balls.
- [54:52]
Scott Frost
I love. So you mentioned your family. Like, whether it's your family, whether it's the people you've coached, the people who coach you, your teammates. When people look back on your career as both a player, now coach, and as a man, what do you want them to say about you?
- [55:07]
Daniel Bullocks
Man, I'm a hard worker. I'm a leader, a guy that they can count on and they can trust, you know, as a coach, you know, I know they'll say I'm a good teacher, I'm a good communicator, and I develop players, and I want to be able to develop players if you want, for the players. I had the opportunity to coach as well by allowing me to do that, you know, and one thing they would say is I'm a father, too, and a husband, you know, like, that's the most important thing. That's one thing I'm most proud of, you know, being a role model. 2D players, you know what I'm saying? As a married husband. Me and my wife been married for 10 years. We've been together for 18 years and got four beautiful daughters. You know, I'm a girl dad, so I really enjoy being. Being a father and a husband. My dad wasn't there for me, so, you know, I'm Just trying to be a positive impact on the young man's life. You know, I'm saying on the field. On the field and off the field as well.
- [55:57]
Scott Frost
I think when you. When you talk about work ethic, when you talk about trust, when you talk about the mentoring and showing, showing people, the husband and father that you are really, as coaches and as men, like that, that's like our silent tape, you know, That's. That speaks through loud, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's really, at the end of the day, like, I. I have two daughters. I'm a proud girl. I have a son, and he's around here all the time. But my youngest daughter, Leona, you know, one of the great things about being in college, I can bring her in the office all the time, you know, and so I want my players to see what a joy it is to be a great father, what a joy it is to have a daughter, daughters, a son that I love, because I want them, hopefully, someday to have the same gift that I've been given.
- [56:35]
Daniel Bullocks
Absolutely. Absolutely. And my players know my players. It takes me, coach. I just had my first daughter. I'm a girl, dad, you know? Welcome to the team. It's silent, just, man, and it's great to see.
- [56:47]
Scott Frost
Well, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to join us. Talk to us. You certainly are a Husker for life. A black shirt for life. And we're proud of everything. That's right, baby. Throw the ball. And I'm serious, I need to get you back here because I'd love to have you come visit Talk Ball, because talking ball with you is. It has me excited. It's fun to hear.
- [57:08]
Daniel Bullocks
Absolutely. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to come on the show. I'm doing a great job with the program, man. I watch it every week. You guys turned up out there, man. Great game against ucla. Wish you guys the best luck every single day.
- [57:20]
Scott Frost
Thank you. I learned a lot today. Go, Big Red.
- [57:23]
Daniel Bullocks
Go, Big Red.
- [57:31]
Scott Frost
You know, one thing I've learned since coming to Nebraska is that it's a place built on hard work, pride, and. And people who take care of their own. That's why I'm proud to tell you about our friends at Akers Equipment. Akers has been an incredible partner for Husker athletics and the University of Nebraska. When we talk about doing things with integrity, showing up every day and being consistent, Acres reflects those same values. They've supported our student athletes, our facilities, and our mission to represent this state the right way. If you're from around here, you already know Acres is the real deal. They're the largest John Deere dealership in Nebraska. And they've got equipment for whatever you need. Mowers, gators, big tractors, combine harvesters, everything. They sell it, they service it, and they stand behind it. I love that these are Nebraska people serving Nebraska people. They understand the work, the seasons, the challenges, and the pride that goes into everything you do. And just like our team, they're committed to showing up every single day and getting better. Visit your local Acres equipment store or go online to acres.com to learn more. They've been a tremendous partner for us and for the entire state of Nebraska.
- [58:43]
Matt Rule
All right, time now for one of our favorite segments, Anything But Football brought to us by Acres. And this is a fun thing. This is where we throw anything at coach. Listen, he's a well rounded man, so we love. I love throwing life things at him. And this is great. This comes from the Jason 1983 coach. What's your favorite holiday tradition?
- [59:16]
Scott Frost
Like, you're talking about like, like, like. Well, oh, it's easy. The feast of the seven fishes the night before Christmas. That's an Italian American deal that, you know, I go back to my grandmother, Francesca Pavia. She, like, was just an all day thing. And then, you know, at night you sit down and you'd have seven fishes. One of the great meals. And so over the years, my wife will do it. Sometimes we'll have different families come over, all make different meals. And it's truly, truly, truly one of my favorite, really one of my favorite nights and days of the year.
- [59:51]
Matt Rule
It's funny. It's mine too. So I do the cooking in my house.
- [59:56]
Sam Hoiberg
Oh.
- [59:57]
Matt Rule
So I go to.
- [59:58]
Scott Frost
Calling me out right now, bro, Are you calling me out? I think you're calling. Julie's not letting me get anywhere near the kitchen, bro. Not a chance.
- [60:08]
Matt Rule
I, I want to go head to head with Jules. I want to go to Julie and go, here you go. I do my crabs and spaghetti. So I get the crabs.
- [60:19]
Scott Frost
That's a Philadelphia thing. Yeah, that's fantastic.
- [60:22]
Matt Rule
Right? I let it sit. I make a red sauce and I let it on a low heat simmer for about 36 hours. And then. And then you serve that with pasta and like, it's one of the great dishes that people like. And I do all the. This stuff. Calamari, smelts.
- [60:43]
Sam Hoiberg
Yep.
- [60:43]
Scott Frost
Smells. As a kid being like, grandma nanny. Do I have to eat this one?
- [60:52]
Matt Rule
Yeah, exactly.
- [60:53]
Scott Frost
Yes, eat it. Shut up and eat it.
- [60:54]
Matt Rule
Exactly. That's What? My kids. My kids go, daddy, I'm not eating that. I.
- [61:01]
Scott Frost
You know, I also love. I'll say. I also. I'm one of those guys. Like, I like the Christmas lights up early, like we talked about a couple weeks ago. But, like, we did. We do, like, Julie has one tree, like, you know, like, decorated, like, really nice, and then we have one that's like the family tree, you know, so it's got, like, the stuff that we've collected over the years, and we all take turns putting it up. I. I love being a part of, you know, decorating the tree. They're always like, when's the one. When can dad do this? When can dad do this? And there's a night I can come home and that was a lot of fun.
- [61:26]
Matt Rule
Isn't it great? You put the Christmas music on or you put, like, the. We watch the oil. I always would put the show the cartoons on the. The famous, you know, the Peanuts, the Heat Miser.
- [61:39]
Scott Frost
That's it.
- [61:39]
Matt Rule
You know, the kids roll their eyes. I love it.
- [61:41]
Scott Frost
I put it on. I. And some of the movies aren't my favorites, but, like, I love. With my two girls watching, like, just Christmas movies, man. It's like, you know, like, we watched Elf the other day, and they love Elf. I'm more of like an old school, like, you know, miracle on 34th Street. You know, I sat there, watched Elf the other day, just roared, laughing, like, just how great, like, this time of year is. One of the cool things about our bowl game is we're going to leave the day after Christmas. So, like, me, my wife, my kids, our players, we all get Christmas morning at home before we start, you know, mobilizing, which is cool.
- [62:14]
Matt Rule
Speaking of which, let's go into the look ahead. And the look ahead is the Las Vegas Bowl. You. It is a great tradition. Can I tell you, I look capital one bowl season. I love it. Football in the afternoon on a weekday is the greatest thing in the world.
- [62:33]
Scott Frost
There's no doubt. And I'll watch every single game I can watch. And, you know, for us, like, last year, we had the cool experience of going to New York to Pinstripe Bowl. First time, you know, Nebraska has been to a bowl in a while. But, like, so, like, that was a great, great experience, obviously for me, being a New Yorker, but, like, to have a chance to go to Vegas. I mean, we're playing in Allegiant Stadium. Just, just all the Husker fans, either they're from Nebraska, but, like, you know, one thing my ad said that Makes a ton of sense is a lot of times people live somewhere they're a fan of, you know, like Nebraska or whatever, then they move away and they kind of become a fan of whatever team's there. Nebraska fans, they might. I don't care where they move to, they're going to be, go big red Husker fans. And so to be able to have all of Big Red Nation descend on Vegas and all the cool things we'll be able to do there, like, you know, I was. I was in Las Vegas earlier, earlier this year to see Bud Crawford fight in Allegiant Stadium and walked out, and every person I saw was a Husker fan. Well, for us to be able to come in and again play in a great team like Utah, I think it's going to be. It's going to be so much fun.
- [63:34]
Matt Rule
It's going to be red that it's going to be amazing. Because you're right, it's such a great destination, and it gives It. It gives. It's a great excuse for during the holidays. Hey, let's go to Vegas a couple days. Let's see our team, the school that we love. And, you know, it's going to be packed. It's. It's. It's actually perfect. I'm thrilled by it. I'm thrilled for it.
- [63:59]
Scott Frost
It's funny, I always gauge things based upon, like, my family and friends, right? Like, man, I have everyone I know. Like, they're planning. They're already planning. Like, hey, we're coming out. We're gonna go to the game. It's a noon game. That will. Then you have. Oh, what do we have? Then you have. You have New Year's Eve. You have New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Like, what an amazing place to be. Whether you go home the first, the second, or stay a couple days. So I could just already tell by how many of my friends from all over the country, family members, want to get out there. It's just going to be awesome. A great football game. Go support your team, and then you get New Year's Eve. I mean, it's kind of a cool deal.
- [64:30]
Matt Rule
Perfect. It's perfect. And listen, let's not lose the fact that it's another bowl game. It's two years in a row now. That's a big deal. It's a statement. Building, building. That's what you're doing.
- [64:45]
Scott Frost
You know, we started the year off knowing that we had the youngest team in the Big Ten, and we did a lot of good things throughout the year. And then the last two games of the year were just unacceptable. And, you know, that falls on me. And so, you know, if I had to wait till next year, I'd, you know, but I'd be pretty upset. We're still pretty mad in this building, but we know we have another game and it's versus a great team. And so what an opportunity for us to go out there and get better as a football program. We know, we know the things that we've put in place. We know the things that we're building. You know, we are proud of the infrastructure that we have. We're proud of the young guys we have on this team and where they're going to. What a great way to finish one year out. Try to make amends for how the season ended and at the same time start getting ready for next year. And so, like I said, I'm excited, I'm glad, grateful for the chance to play one more game. And again, I was just out there on the practice field for two hours. You got redshirt freshmen and sophomores and redshirt sophomores out there. If we weren't in a bowl game, what would they be doing right now? Just going to class and kind of hanging out, playing video games. And now they're out there practicing, getting coached a couple more days. So it's, it's vital. It's vital for what we're trying to get done. Well, that's it. Another episode in the can. Please remember to, like, share or subscribe on YouTube or wherever. Get your podcasts and please follow ouserooles on socials till next time.