House Rhules – Episode 13 Summary

Episode Overview

Title: What’s More Nebraska Than Nebraskans Talkin’ Husker Football, Runzas, and Candy?
Date: November 13, 2025

Nebraska Head Football Coach Matt Rhule and co-host Anthony “the Cuz” Gargano are joined by special guests (the “Jazbury Twins,” B & C) for a characteristically lively and Nebraskan-centric conversation. The group delves into Nebraska football, the unique Husker culture, iconic local food (especially Runzas), an enthusiastic deep dive into candy preferences, leadership, and life lessons from football and music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Candy Preferences as a Window into Nebraska Life

• Nostalgic Candy Talk: The episode kicks off with a spirited exchange about favorite candies—from banana Runts, Chuckles, Necco Wafers, hot tamales, to Reese’s Pieces and Haribo gummies, reflecting each guest’s quirks and family traditions.
  • Quote: “For some reason, the banana runts have always just been, like, heaven to me.” — Matt Rhule [01:14]
• Candy Texture Debates: B expresses a strong preference for gummy candies with a good “bite,” disliking chalky candies or overly chewy ones. The group examines the appeal of various textures, comparing Haribo, Swedish Fish, and custom “Sweet Stash” varieties.
  • Quote: “We like gummies that bite back.” — C [05:06]
• Addictive Personalities:
  • Rhule: “If I’m gonna be addicted, I want something that brings me happiness in the bag.” [10:32]
  • Open discussion about high-pressure careers (coaching, music) leading to addictive tendencies, but also an all-or-nothing approach to passions.

2. Food, Family, and Nebraska Culture

• Lincoln & Omaha Food Scene: An effusive discussion of local staples—Runza, Smashburgers, Stella's, Drover, and more. The group jokes about the trouble explaining Runza to outsiders (“is it a Hot Pocket?”), local burger tiers, and the cultural shift in Nebraska cuisine.
  • Quote: “The smell of Runza is probably the smell of Nebraska.” — B [34:08]
• Homegrown Food Renaissance: Nebraska’s “cultural renaissance” is discussed, with pride in how local restaurants (and sushi!) are earning national recognition.
  • Quote: “If you’re a loser, you’re flying over our state. If you know what’s up, you’re spending time here.” — B [40:15]

3. Husker Football, Leadership, and Adversity

• Adrenaline & Pressure: Connecting the intensity of football and music performance, both Rhule and the guests reflect on channeling pressure into creativity and growth, and the value of embracing “bad notes” or mistakes as part of excellence.
  • Quote: “The most beautiful shit happens when you’re going for it. ... Life has bad notes. Life has good notes.” — B [13:43]
• Handling Adversity:
  • Rhule recounts stories illustrating leadership under stress, including a key message from NFL exec Troy Vincent:
    • Quote: “How do you stop a great athlete? You make them think.” — Rhule related via Troy Vincent [14:31]
  • Parallel between football’s adversity and life’s challenges: learning from setbacks, the value of “going for it,” and the beauty in being present and unafraid of mistakes.
• Creating Lasting Legacy: The idea that “the tape shall set you free” underlines Rhule’s philosophy: focus on the film (effort, execution, attitude), not just the scoreboard.
  • Quote: “I don’t care about the score. ... I care about what the tape looks like.” — Matt Rhule [21:44]

4. Nebraska Community & Support

• Statewide Unity: The panel describes Nebraska’s uniquely supportive and unified fanbase, with football serving as cultural glue.
  • Quote: “People here want our own to win.” — B [23:36]
• Life Balance: Rhule values raising his children in Nebraska, appreciating small-town unity and the rare ability to live as both a coach and a present father.
  • Quote: “I’m able to be a father here ... people in Nebraska will not bother me during the match.” — M. Rhule [24:03]
• Husker Identity Abroad: Guests reminisce about Husker pride turning up worldwide, and the importance of football as a community anchor.
  • Quote: “No matter where we are in the world ... we reserve whenever a Husker game is for our time to just feel connected to Nebraska and feel connected to home.” — C [31:05]

5. Football, Music, and the Art of Team-Building

• Risk-Taking & Trust:
  • Musical Parallels: B & C share how performing live requires trust, adaptability, and sometimes “flying without a net”—directly mirroring Rhule’s approach to football strategy.
    • Quote: “You trust your training ... you have fun.” — B [21:06]
  • Zero Blitz Story: Rhule shares a turning point with his defensive coordinator, advocating for boldness over caution.
• Mentorship & Recruitment: Lively exchange on discovering and developing talent, whether young coaches or rising musicians; the importance of balancing innate gifts with teachability and integrity.
  • Quote: “I think it’s a balance ... hire five and find the two that I don’t want to let leave the building.” — M. Rhule [54:59]
• Cultural Fit & Synergy: Both fields require staff/team who are not just skilled, but also good people:
  • Quote: “I’d much rather have a drummer that we love hanging out with that isn’t the best than somebody who’s the best and not a good person to be around.” — C [58:36]

6. Life Lessons: Journey vs. Destination

• Process Over Product: Guests and Rhule reflect on society’s focus on quick wins versus valuing the journey—whether in coaching, music, or personal growth.
  • Quote: “People are there for the accomplishment, not really the journey ... the only way you get to the accomplishment is if you’re there committed for the journey.” — B [59:35]
• Embracing Adversity & Growth: Using Kobe Bryant’s Achilles injury as a parable, Rhule reinforces that adversity is not only unavoidable but essential to building greatness. [56:57, 59:53]

Memorable Quotes & Segments (with Timestamps)

• 01:14 – Banana Runts love and candy texture battles
  • “For some reason, the banana runts have always just been, like, heaven to me.” — Rhule
• 10:32 – Candy as an acceptable addiction
  • “If I’m gonna be addicted, I want something that brings me happiness in the bag.” — Rhule
• 13:43 – Going for it in music and life
  • “The most beautiful shit happens when you’re going for it.” — B
• 21:44 – Why effort and “the tape” matter more than outcomes
  • “I don’t care about the score. ... I care about what the tape looks like.” — Rhule
• 23:36 – Nebraska’s culture of support
  • “People here want our own to win.” — B
• 34:08 – The essence of Runza
  • “The smell of Runza is probably the smell of Nebraska.” — B
• 40:15 – Defending Nebraska’s cultural status
  • “If you’re a loser, you’re flying over our state. If you know what’s up, you’re spending time here.” — B
• 54:59 – Talent vs. teachability in team building
  • “I think it’s a balance ... hire five and find the two that I don’t want to let leave the building.” — M. Rhule
• 58:36 – Choosing team fit over pure skill
  • “I’d much rather have a drummer that we love hanging out with that isn’t the best than somebody who’s the best and not a good person to be around.” — C

Notable Moments & Callbacks

• Haribo vs. Swedish Fish debate [06:02–06:16]
• Jokes about identifying colors and reviewing “tape” on the podcast [08:31–09:05]
• Zero Blitz Playcall Story (“f these guys” moment) [19:34–21:03]
• Cultural observations on Nebraska airport vs. LA travel headaches [42:31–44:05]
• Runza: explaining the dish to outsiders, branding mishaps [33:28–34:08]
• Coach Rhule’s “desert island artist” recruiting question [45:11–48:50]
  • C picks Stevie Wonder, B picks Miles Davis, Rhule goes through Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews, Bob Marley
• Inside story on music school in NYC, “Whiplash” as real life [49:07–51:16]
• Culver’s, Stella’s, and Nebraska burger hierarchy [37:55–38:45]
• Discussion of assembling and maintaining the right “culture” in teams – football and music [56:49–59:53]

Conclusion

This episode vividly celebrates the intersections of football, music, food, and Nebraska pride. Rich in anecdotes and colored by authentic, humorous banter, it spotlights the value of community, leadership under adversity, and the drive to build something lasting and distinctly Nebraskan—on the field, on the stage, and at the dinner table.

For listeners: Expect laughter, wit, and a spirited immersion into what makes Nebraska—and Husker football—uniquely special.