House Rhules Podcast: Adam Devine & Coach Matt Rhule Sing a Pitch Perfect Duet? | Ep. 11

Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Matt Rhule (Nebraska Head Football Coach)
Guests: Adam Devine (actor, comedian, Nebraska native)
Co-Host: Todd A (“the Cuz”)

Episode Overview

This episode brings together Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule and Hollywood actor/comedian (and Omaha native) Adam Devine. The conversation ranges from Nebraska football’s culture and the realities of coaching to Devine’s comedic career, love for the Huskers, and stories from his Hollywood journey. Key themes include the importance of fit and alignment in leadership roles, the highs and lows of public life, lessons from sports, and the magic that happens when talented people work together. Expect heartfelt stories, plenty of laughs, and a genuine celebration of Nebraska spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reverse Sports Illustrated Curse – Husker Podcast Karma

[00:00–02:05]

• Rhule jokes about the “reverse curse” of his podcast: recent player guests (Javen Wright, Kenneth Williams) have made game-changing plays soon after appearing on the show.

  “It might be the luckiest place in the world if you come here and do this.” – Matt Rhule [00:46]

• Infectious energy and buy-in among the team, with a shout-out to Special Teams coach Coach Eckler.

2. Parity, NIL, and the New College Football Landscape

[02:05–04:06]

• Rhule reflects on the landscape: more parity than ever—any team can win any Saturday.
• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes power dynamics and creates “a pathway now to get players at places that never would’ve gone there before.”

  “The rules of acquisition and retention have changed and you have to adapt to them.” – Matt Rhule [03:18]

• Pressure to win and frequent coaching changes now mirror the NFL more than ever.

3. The Idea of Fit & Alignment in Coaching

[04:21–09:06]

• Coaches are fired quickly if not immediately successful; Rhule argues fit matters as much as raw results.

  “Sometimes you’re a fit somewhere, sometimes you’re not… If you find a place where you’re a fit, man, stay there.” – Matt Rhule [06:38]

• Shares a story from David Cutcliffe emphasizing how rare and valuable alignment is.
• Rhule praises Nebraska for shared values: “The Nebraska way is not to use kids as commodities, not to just buy and sell kids... It’s education, development, and being a team the whole state can be proud of.” [09:50]

4. Leadership, Public Scrutiny, and Humanizing Coaches & Players

[11:10–13:11]

• Leadership means “standing out front and taking arrows,” and modeling accountability so that it trickles down to the team.
• Fans often see coaches/players as avatars, not people with families and struggles: “You walk through the valley of the shadow of death, it doesn’t mean you don’t feel it.” – Matt Rhule [13:11]
• Rhule addresses the negative side of social media and the importance of real-life kindness and empathy.

5. Special Guest: Adam Devine Joins the Show

[17:10–37:00]

Growing Up Nebraska, Comedy Beginnings, and Pitch Perfect Audition

• Adam retells (hilariously) his first Husker game experience and “doing the horn” in a crocheted corn mask, plus a story about running into dads in airports:

  “I run into dads in airports that are like, ‘How dare you? I see you all the time.’” – Adam Devine [17:43]

• Devine’s accidental musical audition for Pitch Perfect (thought it was a baseball film, sang the Full House theme song!):

  “For whatever reason, that was in the wrinkly back part of the brain… and somehow I got the movie.” – Adam Devine [20:30]

On Performing, Stand-Up, and Taking Risks

• First stand-up experience at 17, sneaking to Kansas City for open mics, describes “iron sharpens iron” in both comedy and sports—being around talented peers makes you better.

  “I was just too young to know how scary it was.” – Adam Devine [24:37]

• Rhule draws parallels between bombing in stand-up and risking it all in football: both demand courage.

Building Workaholics & Creative Friendship

• The story of roommates-turned-collaborators (Workaholics, day one of improv at community college) and how the rise of YouTube opened doors.

  “We decided to shoot the show in our house because we were convinced it was gonna get canceled and at least wanted our rent paid for a year.” – Adam Devine [27:19]

The Magic of Great Teams

• Both agree: close-knit teams—on field or in writers rooms—bring out the best in everyone.

  “You walk in our weight room, it says, Iron Sharpens Iron.” – Matt Rhule [30:13]

• Rhule and Devine riff on being the "funniest/best" in the room—if you are, find a tougher room.

Acting, Writing, and Giving Back

• Adam prefers acting (“my dream”), but finds joy in writing, producing, and seeing an idea come to life.
• Candid mutual fan appreciation; Adam says the show is a dream come true for him as a Husker fan.
• Adam’s work with Children’s Miracle Network:

  “To bring some levity to a situation that's pretty horrific... I always feel so much better about myself after leaving. I'm like, yeah, I am a good guy.” – Adam Devine [35:48]

Fatherhood & Passing Down the Husker Spirit

• Stories about his son Beau (“Car Bus”) and deciding when to introduce Husker fandom.

  “I love it way more [than I expected]. It made me wish I started younger and had more.” – Adam Devine [36:31]

• Family moments trumping the Hollywood lifestyle.

Favorite Husker Moments & Mount Rushmore

[38:17–44:40]

• Adam’s top moments as a Husker fan: “Watching Tommy Frazier—the run as a kid—that was unbelievable… I was jumping out of my socks.” [38:21]
• Remembers wild celebrations after 1997 championship (“changed my life!” [39:42])
• Discussion of NIL: both support it as fairness for athletes who may never make it pro.
• Adam’s all-time Husker “Mount Rushmore”: Tommy Frazier, Brooke Berringer, Eric Crouch, Amon Green.

6. The Nebraska Football Experience and Program Culture

[45:53–48:13]

• Rhule discusses what makes Nebraska unique—unity, fan devotion, the weight of coaching where every game matters.

  “You see some of those seats, and you’re like, man, someone’s paying money to sit around a pole to see me coach.” – Matt Rhule [45:53]

• Adam underscores why Husker Nation loves Rhule: “You bring the rest of us in with open arms... We're all doing this for Nebraska.” [45:23]

7. Anything But Football: Memorabilia & Family

[51:01–55:28]

• Rhule shares his favorite memorabilia: a vintage Wallabies rugby jersey from an Australian friend and a Vince Lombardi-signed paycheck.
• Discussion about the value of shared, physical experiences and memories with kids (“not everything can be digital and virtual”).
• Both hosts recount family sports weekends, emphasizing the power of “just being there” for your kids—through wins, losses, and car rides.

8. Upcoming: Nebraska vs. USC, Halloween & Family Traditions

[55:28–59:07]

• Big game: Nebraska vs. USC as conference rivals (“Hasn’t the world changed?” [55:46]), national TV, black uniforms, recruiting impact.
• Monday night “family dinner” and Halloween “trunk or treat” traditions at the Nebraska facility.
• Rhule on dressing up for Halloween with his family (“I tried to fight it for a year. I’ve just given up…” [58:29]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you want to be different, you want to be bold, you’ve gotta do things that no one else would have the guts to do.” – Matt Rhule [04:21]
• “Sometimes you’re a fit somewhere, sometimes you’re not… If you find a place where you’re a fit, stay there.” – Matt Rhule [06:38]
• “In standup, you have to start… in Chinese food restaurants and laundromats and bowling alleys. You have to start at the lowest of the low and climb your way up step by step. That’s something I always thought was really cool about stand up.” – Adam Devine [22:47]
• “It’s just like you’re out there. It’s just you versus you versus the world.” – Adam Devine (on standup and football) [24:37]
• “[Mount Rushmore is] Tommy, Brooke Berringer, Eric Crouch… Amon Green. Those 90s guys, I just have such a soft spot for. They’re all from that era basically.” – Adam Devine [43:03]
• “We decided to shoot [Workaholics] in our house… at least wanted to get our rent paid for a year. Then the show became a hit…” – Adam Devine [27:19]
• “The Nebraska way is not to use kids as commodities… It’s education, development and being a team the whole state can be proud of, win, lose or draw.” – Matt Rhule [09:50]
• “Iron sharpens iron.” (on the importance of being around great talent) – Matt Rhule [30:13]
• “You bring the rest of us in with open arms… We’re all doing this for Nebraska and I think that’s why we love you so much.” – Adam Devine [45:23]

Key Timestamps

• [00:00]: Recap of Husker “reverse curse”/podcast luck.
• [02:05]: The new landscape of college football, NIL, coaching pressures.
• [06:38]: Story about fit, Cutcliffe, Paterno, and Nebraska.
• [13:11]: Public scrutiny & empathy for coaches, players, and families.
• [17:10]: Adam Devine joins the show.
• [18:55]: Pitch Perfect audition story (the Full House theme).
• [24:37]: First stand-up gig, lessons from failure, comparison to football.
• [27:19]: Origins of Workaholics and building creative teams.
• [30:13]: Culture and iron sharpening iron.
• [38:21]: Adam’s top Husker moments.
• [43:03]: Mount Rushmore of Husker players.
• [45:23]: Why Huskers love Rhule.
• [51:01]: Coolest piece of memorabilia and importance of shared experiences.
• [55:28]: Preview: Nebraska vs. USC, TV spotlight, and community.
• [57:34]: Halloween and family traditions at Nebraska.
• [58:29]: Coach Rhule surrenders to the Halloween costumes.

Tone

The episode is a blend of heartfelt, humorous, and deeply genuine. Rhule is candid and reflective about the challenges and joys of leadership and college coaching, while Devine’s wit and warmth make for a lively, relatable conversation. Both men share an obvious pride and love for Nebraska, offering listeners a sense of community, nostalgia, and optimism.

Summary prepared for listeners new and returning, with minimal spoilers and maximum Husker spirit!