October 9, 2025 • 23 mins
The ground shakes before you even see the sky. That’s how Chris “Nelly” Nelson describes the Red River tunnel—eye to eye with your rival, breath tight, and the urge to start the game right there between the gates. We bring you into that moment, then trace the line from Golden Hat glory to the craft of coaching, as Nelly shares what Texas–OU taught him about pressure, leadership, and earning confidence the hard way.
We revisit 2018’s marathon versus Kyler Murray, the double teams that turned into a Defensive Player of the Game honor, and the celebration that followed—hat on head, cigar in hand, heartbeat finally slowing. Nelly opens up about the leaders who changed the temperature of a room—Breckyn Hager’s spark, Trey Watson’s energy, and Sam Ehlinger’s steady, team-first backbone—and why chemistry beats volume when the lights are hottest. Then we pivot to UTSA, where Nelly serves as a graduate assistant under Jeff Traylor, detailing how a young, hungry roster learns to “slow the game down,” sync their reads, and make complementary football more than a slogan. He addresses Texas’ recent talent drain to the NFL, the truth about “no rebuild” expectations, and why this year’s showdown could be decided by defense and discipline more than fireworks.
You’ll hear why rivalry weeks force growth, how coaches translate chaos into clarity, and what it means to give players a balanced life—because football ends, but the habits don’t. If you love the Red River Rivalry, leadership under pressure, or a behind-the-scenes look at UTSA’s culture, this one delivers the texture and honesty you crave. Listen, share with a Longhorn or a Sooner, and drop your prediction—who takes the Hat, and why? If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, leave a quick review, and pass it to a friend who lives for Saturdays.
Please like and follow each of Stories Inside the Man Cave Podcast social media links on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
Red River Rivalry.
We are two days away.
And one of my favorite formerLonghorns, uh I think your
senior season was 2018, theNelly.
We called him Nellie, ChrisNelson.
You're now a graduate assistantcoach for Jeff Trailer at UT San
Antonio, man.
(00:21):
You're a Florida guy.
Yes, sir.
What did you know about thisrivalry before you decided to
play for the Texas Longhorns?
SPEAKER_03 (00:30):
Of course.
I mean, I've I've heard of it,but I didn't know anything at
all just coming in.
It really was a smack in theface for me, uh, and honesty.
Uh, when I just coming out thattunnel seeing both sides split
like that, man, it waseverything.
And we was just uh I I gotanother coach, he he also played
at OU as well, but we was justtalking at practice, practice
(00:51):
today, and we was like, man, youhonestly have to be there to to
experience it, like to reallyfeel it.
Um, it was a great experiencefor me, and I'm glad and
appreciative to uh be able toplay in it, play any game.
SPEAKER_01 (01:04):
So I remember you know, you hear all the stories.
I I love telling the story aboutthe tunnel, and we'll get to
that here shortly.
But you had the opportunity.
Now you got you did the teamsyou played on, you beat OU
twice, right?
SPEAKER_03 (01:20):
Yes, sir, yes, sir.
We got the hat back on twotimes.
SPEAKER_01 (01:28):
And Nelly, if you if you're watching us, go to our
Twitter handle at Stories ManCave and on the Instagram page.
We he started the the belly rub,and and that was something that
we loved, and we love talking toNelly every time.
Just a great interview, humble,great defensive tackle.
(01:48):
Uh play pro ball for a whileafter Texas.
But most of all, your yourfavorite role now is husband and
dad.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
So it's about this growing Nelly family you have.
SPEAKER_03 (02:00):
Oh man, I mean, they they along the way.
I have a football family.
They, of course, they've beenfollowing me through my playing
years and now coaching.
So we've kind of been all overthe place, but we've just been
enjoying the moment.
We uh living on the high rightnow, uh coaching under Jeff uh
trailer.
Uh wonderful coach as well.
I mean, I I think I made thebest decision uh being here back
in Texas.
(02:21):
Um, my wife wanted to come backhere.
My kids love it.
So to be honest with you, Ican't complain.
SPEAKER_01 (02:27):
Hey, can you tell uh Coach Trailer?
He's uh stories inside the Man KVIP alumni.
I think three times.
He's just one of those, he istruly a part of the Texas
fabric, man.
You and you got to, I think hewas there for that year when he
was uh on the staff of CoachStrong, right?
You you got to be um coach byhim a little bit.
SPEAKER_03 (02:49):
Oh yeah, oh yeah, man.
He uh he helped us out a lot,man.
When when Coach Strong wasputting us through to uh torture
uh every day at you know, backback then we had tour days, but
he always had that look in hiseyes like, man, these guys are
going through it.
Um and we just stuck, we stuckby him, man.
Like uh, and I mean he he'sblessed me with the opportunity
(03:10):
to give me a job to come coach.
So I can't thank him enough fordoing that for me.
SPEAKER_01 (03:16):
And a great program Coach Trailer has established.
Uh they talk about UTSA acrossthe country, and finally, I you
know, I it's I know it's nothingto joke about, but uh he has had
that program at such a high, andthen like every program, you
deal with a little rebuilding,you guys are young and you have
some talent.
Uh watch watch these Roadrunnersthis year, uh how they finish.
(03:39):
I promise you.
Uh I would say to put uh moneyon Chris Nelson, Jeff Trailer,
and that UTSA staff that you'llbe in a bowl game for sure.
SPEAKER_03 (03:48):
Oh, yes, sir.
Oh yeah.
That's the goal.
That's the goal, and we we'regonna get that too as well, man.
Uh we I love these guys here.
They have a hunger inside ofthem.
Yes, they they are young.
Um, guys are just becoming tobecome being synced right now.
Uh, we just we're trying to slowthe game down for them.
Uh but at the end of the day, wehave an uh a hell of a time uh
(04:10):
at UTSA.
I can't complain.
Uh these guys love it, man.
I I know we're gonna get it backturned in the right direction.
SPEAKER_01 (04:18):
Oh, there's no doubt.
And uh and I think even betterchance with you on board as a
GA.
And uh hey, for everyonewatching this, if you're a
college coach, I hope you stayat UTSA or go to Texas
afterwards.
But uh this is a good one.
You want your D line to go tothe next level, Nelly's your
guy.
SPEAKER_03 (04:36):
Oh, yeah.
Appreciate it, man.
I I really I truly appreciatethat, man.
I'm just uh I'm just a guy righthere, man.
I I I honestly give everythingto these kids, man.
I try to give them a balance inlife.
Uh we fly around on thatfootball field and we have fun
at the end of the day.
Um, also, you know, just tryingto teach them about, you know,
this is not gonna last forever.
(04:57):
Just teaching them the steps totake.
Um, you know, everybody's notgonna be a coach, a ball coach,
but whatever you want to do inlife, you know, just giving them
those goals and aspirations,slowing it down for them.
Uh and I mean they taking heedto it.
I I love this profession thatI'm in, man, and it's been great
for me.
SPEAKER_01 (05:14):
Well, part of we're all products of all of our
experiences.
You mentioned it, the golden hattrophy.
I gotta show you a video forthose who aren't sure.
That's a trophy given to thewinner of the Texas OU game, or
if you're north of the RedRiver, it's OU Texas.
But um tradition also, you guystake the golden hat off the
(05:35):
mount and you wear it.
So yeah, your guy Trey Watson,um, he sent me uh this, he sent
me a video, and uh where wereyou?
I'll show you the video.
Let me know where you were inthis video.
SPEAKER_03 (06:01):
Trey Watson.
That is a wonderful feelingright there, man.
Just looking back on it.
Uh I was actually in the backcorner smoking a cigar.
That game, that was a long game.
I mean, chasing around uh allover the field.
Uh of course they had somewonderful uh athletes as well.
(06:21):
I mean, we went toe for toe.
Uh uh at the end of the day, weknow uh Texas is not where we
want it to be right now, butthis game right here really
doesn't matter for both teams.
Uh these guys are gonna come outand it's gonna be a great game.
It always is.
It comes down to the wire.
Um, who wants it more?
SPEAKER_01 (06:40):
Well, before we dig deeper into it, uh, I definitely
want to uh pay tribute to one ofour new sponsors.
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beverages on the way to Dallas,or maybe you have a watch party
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I think if you live in NorthAustin, this is where you need
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(07:14):
And we're gonna have tointroduce you to Dave Ramirez
because uh you being a umaficionado of cigars, victory
cigars, Dave, man.
I'll have to we'll have to sendyou um something like that.
SPEAKER_03 (07:28):
Yeah, hopefully I can get with him after the game.
SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
Oh god, he'll take care of it.
Before we talk more, just theencapsulate going down the
tunnel or arriving at the statefair, as you're going through
that locker room as you enterthose two little gates, you go
depending on your home orvisitor of that game, you go
left or right as soon as you getup and closing those gates to
(07:54):
when you go to warm-up and theentire environment, and then you
go back down for game time.
Hey, what's the energy?
Because you know, I've gone downthat tunnel with you guys and
several times, and when I wascovering Oklahoma when I worked
up there.
Yeah, what is it like as aplayer that that entire day?
SPEAKER_03 (08:14):
Um, uh, like I said before, I mean, this is the
first time I actually gotnervous before a game.
Uh, I never get shook or I neverbe nervous, but this time uh
just coming into it, uh like theguys, they would they always
talked about the robbery, and Ikind of more so just laughed
about it.
I'm like, man, because I wasalways a Florida guy.
SPEAKER_00 (08:34):
Yeah, really.
SPEAKER_03 (08:34):
But when you come out those doors, we're facing
each other.
So, I mean, we come out just uhstep by step as you're coming
out for the warmups.
Uh it's just you know,everybody's outside eating
turkey legs and enjoying theatmosphere.
And then when you go back in andyou come back, come back out for
game time, it's split and it'sorange and red, or whatever
(08:56):
their colors is.
Yeah, yeah.
Um, but um, yeah, and it's splitand the ground is just it's
shaking.
And you know, uh the atmosphereis wonderful, man.
I and that at that moment rightthere, I knew like I made the
right decision by coming toTexas.
Yeah, that's I made the rightdecision.
And for the people who haven'tbeen to the game, man, you have
(09:18):
to get there.
Um, take your family and enjoyit, man.
It is it's something that'swonderful to watch.
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
You know, I keep saying that to men, women, uh
friends, whatnot.
If you even if you're not asports fan, you you have to
experience the state fair andthe game.
Oh yeah.
Get there at 10 a.m.
for that 2:30 game or evenearlier.
Uh thank God it's not an 11 a.m.
game anymore.
SPEAKER_03 (09:44):
Thank yes.
That used to get to us as well.
I mean, you got a game, arivalry game like that,
everybody's on edge, man.
You you need some time to relax,but I'm glad they they did push
that uh time back for those guysas well.
SPEAKER_01 (09:57):
Oh god, I used to tell everybody now.
You you briefly mentioned it,but when someone asks you about
that old historic tunnel, Imean, how do you put it in
detail?
Because I I I'm a guy aboutexperience, I can describe the
smell of it to you.
SPEAKER_00 (10:16):
Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (10:17):
How do you how do you tell what's your story with
the tunnel?
SPEAKER_03 (10:21):
Uh man, so when you come out those doors and you you
looking at the opponent in theireyes and we breathing down each
other's neck, you know it's timefor war.
At the end of the day, it'slike, okay, it's about to get
scrappy out here.
And we're gonna go to the clockhit zero.
You can feel that immediatelywhen you open the door.
And uh, I mean, those guys, theywant the hat as bad as we want
(10:43):
the hat.
But um unfortunately, we takeover that, you know, and and we
bring it back home.
But at the end of the day, it'slike it's it's it's almost a
feeling of uh we want to playthe game right there in the
tunnel.
We can get it on right here inthe tunnel.
So and when you when you takethe feel and you have that crowd
behind you, it's feel it feelslike you're on top of the world
(11:05):
in a sense.
SPEAKER_01 (11:06):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's insane.
Uh yeah, that is something thatyou know I I wish everyone could
experience.
SPEAKER_03 (11:14):
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, man.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (11:17):
After you win.
Now, if you don't be though, nowkeep in mind, Nelly, Nelly, that
year in 2018, he and Ominahueand all those greats on that
defensive front and linebackerswere chasing around Kyler Murray
all day.
SPEAKER_03 (11:33):
Oh man, it was a long day.
That was a long day.
That was a good yes, yes.
That was that I that year, Iactually got defensive player of
the game just coming into it,but it was a lot of double
teams.
We had to stop the run, but Imade my mind up, and I wanted to
do anything for my teammates,but um, yeah, we we had a heck
(11:56):
of a year that year, man.
Uh great group of guys.
Um, we actually talking abouthaving a reunion, trying to get
back together with all the guys,man.
Just, you know, chop it up andtalk about good times,
especially like this robberyright here.
So, yep.
SPEAKER_01 (12:10):
And you get and then when you bring Breck and Hager
around, you know, that's oh man,that's my guy.
SPEAKER_03 (12:16):
Oh Breck and Hager.
That's my guy.
Yeah, yeah.
He's the one.
He's the one that's gonna kickuh kick off everything for us.
I mean, we see him out therefirst.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:29):
I know now it's hard now because you're in the
coaching fraternity as a GA.
SPEAKER_00 (12:34):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (12:35):
But this is your this is your alma mater, this is
your program.
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (12:39):
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
You guys fought adversity.
You guys were talking about that18 year old uh even 17.
You had a bowl victory, and thenyou ended 2018 playing in the
Big 12 championship and winningthe sugar bowl against Georgia.
You see what your program hasdone with the Coach Sarkees in
the past two or three years.
(13:06):
Agree or disagree, I thought Ithink they have that elite level
talent, but they lost, they lostover 24 guys to the NFL the last
two years.
SPEAKER_00 (13:18):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (13:19):
I don't know why they were preseason number one.
I think they're a good team.
I think they can still finishwith a good season.
But as a player and a coach, howdo you communicate that to a fan
when you lose that muchhigh-level talent like that?
I mean, we're talking leaders,incredible talent.
(13:40):
What does that do to a program?
SPEAKER_03 (13:43):
I mean, it's hard.
It's hard, it's hard on theguys, especially, I mean, for
those coaches, because at theend of the day, when you come to
Texas, there is no rebuild here.
Um and you wear that the weighton your shoulders as a player.
So those guys, I'm pretty surethey're taking it hard, man.
Uh at the end of the day, thingswill slow down for them.
(14:04):
Right now, it's moving kind offast for those guys.
But the thing is, you have greatcoaches around the program, and
like you said, it's greatathletes.
The talent is the isn't theproblem.
It's the guys have to get insync as first thing.
And once they do that, I mean,hopefully this is the game that
turns turns around the season,to be honest with you.
But once they do that, I thinkthings will be okay.
SPEAKER_01 (14:26):
I gotta ask you that.
What did that win in 2018 do foryou guys for the rest of the
year?
I mean, I you guys started off alittle, I mean, it was it was
strange, but you knew you guyswere that good.
What did that win over Oklahomado for you guys the rest of the
year?
SPEAKER_03 (14:45):
Um I mean, it gave us another sense of confidence.
That season, that year, wealready knew it was gonna be
different because we had beentogether so long.
Then we had a group of guys whowere dedicated, and we didn't
have no selfish guys, no cockyguys.
Guys just was willing to comework.
And after that win, we knew likeit could be done.
So let's lock in even more.
(15:06):
And um, and that's really whatit was, man.
And guys start growing outsideof football, um, to gain better
relationships with guys on theteam, and um from there we just
took off.
I mean, things, it was justreally small issues for us as a
team, but other than that, weknew we were gonna be great.
SPEAKER_01 (15:25):
You guys were fun.
I'll tell you, you guys were notlacking personalities.
I'll tell you that.
SPEAKER_03 (15:29):
Oh, yeah, oh yeah.
Yeah, we had some differentpersonalities.
The D-line room always had you.
We got a brand new juice.
We're different kinds of guys,we're wired different.
SPEAKER_01 (15:38):
So you guys made my life so easy and then and and
fun, and then they you guysbrought in Trey Watson at
running back.
Oh yeah, there wasn't amicrophone.
He and Brecken Hager, therewasn't a microphone that they
didn't like.
SPEAKER_03 (15:56):
It's the things you guys didn't see from them.
So, I mean, those guys there,those two right there, man, they
kept the whole locker roomenergy and vibe where where it
was supposed to be, man.
And though those were thethings, though.
Like those are the things youmiss the most when you get done
playing this game.
Um, though, we still keep uhkeeping communication to this
(16:17):
day.
Uh, we try to, even thougheverybody got their different
lives, families and whatnot likethat, but we try to keep in
touch with each other.
Because that's what it's allabout at the end, nigga.
SPEAKER_01 (16:28):
And you guys had a great, great group, you know,
and on the offense, SamEllinger.
I mean, I talk about the topkids right there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:36):
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, and he was a guy, Sam.
He was a guy who could fit inany room.
I mean, wherever room he wasgoing to, he could fit in.
I mean, he was a true, true guywith character.
You knew when he went out there,he he put everything on his
shoulders for the team.
Um, and that's what made us goeven harder.
Yep.
SPEAKER_01 (16:55):
Man, well, I loved it.
I felt I felt blessed that I gotto share that the entire time
when you were there.
Yeah.
So what time?
UTSA plays Rice, and that'swhere you guys playing in SA or
Houston?
SPEAKER_03 (17:12):
Uh, we'll be right here in SA at the Alamo Dome,
man.
If you can't get to uh Dallas,go on come down the road to the
210, uh, get your popcorn readybecause it will be a show.
SPEAKER_01 (17:25):
Hey, it's easy to be a roadrunner fan, especially
with Jeff Kraylor and uh uhNelly here.
Um any projections?
Or as a coach, do you feel likeyou can make a prediction for
what's gonna happen in Dallas?
Or is that something you'd liketo avoid?
SPEAKER_03 (17:46):
I know, I know we call this game a shootout, but I
really I don't think it might bea high-scoring game.
I really don't.
I think it's gonna go, I thinkthat both sides defense will
show up on both sides, and Ithink it's gonna shock a lot of
people, and it's gonna be a gamewhere they're just gonna have to
keep it steady and playcomplimentary football.
(18:07):
Uh the people the fans areprobably not gonna like it, but
I think that's what it's gonnacome down to.
SPEAKER_01 (18:13):
I think you're right.
I honestly do.
I feel the same way.
I think John Mateer will comeout and play quarterback after
healing from that hand surgery.
SPEAKER_00 (18:23):
Yeah, you knew he'd be back.
SPEAKER_01 (18:26):
You know how that game works.
Yeah, uh, I gotta say this.
This is not me being a fan, it'snot me being biased at all.
I really think there's gonna besome guys on both sides of the
ball for Texas.
Grow up and mature this week.
SPEAKER_03 (18:41):
As well.
Mm-hmm.
Yep.
Um, uh I I totally I totallyagree with that, man, because
this game actually does grow youup.
Um you have to have it.
So, like the tunnel will getthose guys right.
Like at that moment, those youngguys will know, like, we got to
come on with it.
And um, of course, it's gonna beit's gonna be eye-opening at
(19:03):
first, but one after that, youknow, that first quarter,
whatnot, I think everything'sgonna slow down.
We're gonna see something thatthat shocks us as well.
SPEAKER_01 (19:11):
I I think it's gonna be fun.
We're gonna see a lot of plays.
Hey, we have a fan, uh, storiesinside the man cave loyal
viewer.
Uh, I just to protect heridentity.
She just she's in San Antonio.
She said the 2-1-0 is where it'sat.
Birds up.
SPEAKER_03 (19:25):
Okay, yes, birds up, birds up.
I love it.
I love it here.
SPEAKER_01 (19:30):
She's a legacy Longhorn and her family and
season ticket holder of Texas.
But she loves San Antonio, andshe told me to tell you hello,
Coach Nelson.
SPEAKER_03 (19:42):
Oh man, hello, how are you doing?
And uh, thank you.
And if you can't make it to thegame, come on down to the 210,
and we're gonna get thingsrocking.
That's right, my brother.
SPEAKER_01 (19:53):
Hey, good luck to you guys this weekend, and man,
always love to Nelly.
And you I I think you're athree-time storage inside the
Man Cake VIP alumni.
SPEAKER_03 (20:04):
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
I got I have to uh give back tomy guy, man.
He's been doing wonderful thingsever since I've been in college.
Uh, and and the relationshipoutside of college, it just kept
going.
Um, I can't complain.
Uh, the podcast, we're gonnakeep it moving anytime he asked
for me.
I'm gonna, you know, make myschedule free for you as well,
because it's been nothing butlove at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_01 (20:26):
And it will always be that way.
And you know, you know, if youdidn't know already, anything
you, your family ever need,seriously, need a favor, require
anything, you know.
I'm there.
SPEAKER_03 (20:37):
Oh, yeah, I know it, and it's the same way.
We return the same favor aswell, brother.
SPEAKER_01 (20:42):
Much love.
What is any final message youwant to tell the Longhorn
Nation?
SPEAKER_03 (20:47):
Oh man, uh, I just want to tell everybody here,
man.
Uh, it's great being back.
Um, y'all need to get out andsupport those guys.
Either way it goes, man.
Those guys are gonna come outand they're gonna put on the
show.
And hopefully we can bring thathat back home.
SPEAKER_01 (21:03):
Now you have a Sooner on your coaching staff.
Has he how many times has hetold you or said something about
Boomer Sooner in your presence?
SPEAKER_03 (21:11):
Uh uh, it's been it's been pretty much every day.
I can't even lie to you.
Yeah, it's been every day.
We've been going back and forth.
Uh, please get this win so I cancelebrate in the w in the right
way.
SPEAKER_01 (21:25):
We don't have a wager set up.
SPEAKER_02 (21:27):
Oh, we got something set to the side, man.
We got something set to theside.
I I can't I can't disclose it,but we don't we're gonna bring
it home so I don't have to dealwith the consequences.
SPEAKER_01 (21:42):
Much love and to all of you watching this on
Instagram.
Thank you.
And uh be sure to like followeach of our social media
platforms and on Monday, thepast rush was really we're gonna
recap this game and then MikeAdams and I think depending on
when we all get back fromDallas, we're gonna have uh
Instagram live.
(22:03):
Hopefully we're talking we'regonna bring up uh Nelly and the
Roadrunners for their big win aswell.
SPEAKER_03 (22:08):
Yes, sir.
We go two for two.
SPEAKER_01 (22:11):
Let's do it.
Hey, Nelly, much love, guys,man, and you guys have a good
night.
SPEAKER_03 (22:18):
Oh, yeah.
Thank y'all for y'all time.
SPEAKER_01 (22:20):
Absolutely, brother.
Victory over 102 for you andyour club members.
I don't have any things yet.
Red River Rivalry.
We are two days away.
And one of my favorite formerLonghorns, uh I think your
senior season was 2018, theNelly.
We called him Nellie, ChrisNelson.
You're now a graduate assistantcoach for Jeff Trailer at UT San
Antonio, man.
(00:21):
You're a Florida guy.
Yes, sir.
What did you know about thisrivalry before you decided to
play for the Texas Longhorns?
SPEAKER_03 (00:30):
Of course.
I mean, I've I've heard of it,but I didn't know anything at
all just coming in.
It really was a smack in theface for me, uh, and honesty.
Uh, when I just coming out thattunnel seeing both sides split
like that, man, it waseverything.
And we was just uh I I gotanother coach, he he also played
at OU as well, but we was justtalking at practice, practice
(00:51):
today, and we was like, man, youhonestly have to be there to to
experience it, like to reallyfeel it.
Um, it was a great experiencefor me, and I'm glad and
appreciative to uh be able toplay in it, play any game.
SPEAKER_01 (01:04):
So I remember you know, you hear all the stories.
I I love telling the story aboutthe tunnel, and we'll get to
that here shortly.
But you had the opportunity.
Now you got you did the teamsyou played on, you beat OU
twice, right?
SPEAKER_03 (01:20):
Yes, sir, yes, sir.
We got the hat back on twotimes.
SPEAKER_01 (01:28):
And Nelly, if you if you're watching us, go to our
Twitter handle at Stories ManCave and on the Instagram page.
We he started the the belly rub,and and that was something that
we loved, and we love talking toNelly every time.
Just a great interview, humble,great defensive tackle.
(01:48):
Uh play pro ball for a whileafter Texas.
But most of all, your yourfavorite role now is husband and
dad.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
So it's about this growing Nelly family you have.
SPEAKER_03 (02:00):
Oh man, I mean, they they along the way.
I have a football family.
They, of course, they've beenfollowing me through my playing
years and now coaching.
So we've kind of been all overthe place, but we've just been
enjoying the moment.
We uh living on the high rightnow, uh coaching under Jeff uh
trailer.
Uh wonderful coach as well.
I mean, I I think I made thebest decision uh being here back
in Texas.
(02:21):
Um, my wife wanted to come backhere.
My kids love it.
So to be honest with you, Ican't complain.
SPEAKER_01 (02:27):
Hey, can you tell uh Coach Trailer?
He's uh stories inside the Man KVIP alumni.
I think three times.
He's just one of those, he istruly a part of the Texas
fabric, man.
You and you got to, I think hewas there for that year when he
was uh on the staff of CoachStrong, right?
You you got to be um coach byhim a little bit.
SPEAKER_03 (02:49):
Oh yeah, oh yeah, man.
He uh he helped us out a lot,man.
When when Coach Strong wasputting us through to uh torture
uh every day at you know, backback then we had tour days, but
he always had that look in hiseyes like, man, these guys are
going through it.
Um and we just stuck, we stuckby him, man.
Like uh, and I mean he he'sblessed me with the opportunity
(03:10):
to give me a job to come coach.
So I can't thank him enough fordoing that for me.
SPEAKER_01 (03:16):
And a great program Coach Trailer has established.
Uh they talk about UTSA acrossthe country, and finally, I you
know, I it's I know it's nothingto joke about, but uh he has had
that program at such a high, andthen like every program, you
deal with a little rebuilding,you guys are young and you have
some talent.
Uh watch watch these Roadrunnersthis year, uh how they finish.
(03:39):
I promise you.
Uh I would say to put uh moneyon Chris Nelson, Jeff Trailer,
and that UTSA staff that you'llbe in a bowl game for sure.
SPEAKER_03 (03:48):
Oh, yes, sir.
Oh yeah.
That's the goal.
That's the goal, and we we'regonna get that too as well, man.
Uh we I love these guys here.
They have a hunger inside ofthem.
Yes, they they are young.
Um, guys are just becoming tobecome being synced right now.
Uh, we just we're trying to slowthe game down for them.
Uh but at the end of the day, wehave an uh a hell of a time uh
(04:10):
at UTSA.
I can't complain.
Uh these guys love it, man.
I I know we're gonna get it backturned in the right direction.
SPEAKER_01 (04:18):
Oh, there's no doubt.
And uh and I think even betterchance with you on board as a
GA.
And uh hey, for everyonewatching this, if you're a
college coach, I hope you stayat UTSA or go to Texas
afterwards.
But uh this is a good one.
You want your D line to go tothe next level, Nelly's your
guy.
SPEAKER_03 (04:36):
Oh, yeah.
Appreciate it, man.
I I really I truly appreciatethat, man.
I'm just uh I'm just a guy righthere, man.
I I I honestly give everythingto these kids, man.
I try to give them a balance inlife.
Uh we fly around on thatfootball field and we have fun
at the end of the day.
Um, also, you know, just tryingto teach them about, you know,
this is not gonna last forever.
(04:57):
Just teaching them the steps totake.
Um, you know, everybody's notgonna be a coach, a ball coach,
but whatever you want to do inlife, you know, just giving them
those goals and aspirations,slowing it down for them.
Uh and I mean they taking heedto it.
I I love this profession thatI'm in, man, and it's been great
for me.
SPEAKER_01 (05:14):
Well, part of we're all products of all of our
experiences.
You mentioned it, the golden hattrophy.
I gotta show you a video forthose who aren't sure.
That's a trophy given to thewinner of the Texas OU game, or
if you're north of the RedRiver, it's OU Texas.
But um tradition also, you guystake the golden hat off the
(05:35):
mount and you wear it.
So yeah, your guy Trey Watson,um, he sent me uh this, he sent
me a video, and uh where wereyou?
I'll show you the video.
Let me know where you were inthis video.
SPEAKER_03 (06:01):
Trey Watson.
That is a wonderful feelingright there, man.
Just looking back on it.
Uh I was actually in the backcorner smoking a cigar.
That game, that was a long game.
I mean, chasing around uh allover the field.
Uh of course they had somewonderful uh athletes as well.
(06:21):
I mean, we went toe for toe.
Uh uh at the end of the day, weknow uh Texas is not where we
want it to be right now, butthis game right here really
doesn't matter for both teams.
Uh these guys are gonna come outand it's gonna be a great game.
It always is.
It comes down to the wire.
Um, who wants it more?
SPEAKER_01 (06:40):
Well, before we dig deeper into it, uh, I definitely
want to uh pay tribute to one ofour new sponsors.
Uh, for those fans who areseeking to load up with certain
beverages on the way to Dallas,or maybe you have a watch party
at home.
This is your one.
I think if you live in NorthAustin, this is where you need
to go to pick up those saidbeverages.
(07:14):
And we're gonna have tointroduce you to Dave Ramirez
because uh you being a umaficionado of cigars, victory
cigars, Dave, man.
I'll have to we'll have to sendyou um something like that.
SPEAKER_03 (07:28):
Yeah, hopefully I can get with him after the game.
SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
Oh god, he'll take care of it.
Before we talk more, just theencapsulate going down the
tunnel or arriving at the statefair, as you're going through
that locker room as you enterthose two little gates, you go
depending on your home orvisitor of that game, you go
left or right as soon as you getup and closing those gates to
(07:54):
when you go to warm-up and theentire environment, and then you
go back down for game time.
Hey, what's the energy?
Because you know, I've gone downthat tunnel with you guys and
several times, and when I wascovering Oklahoma when I worked
up there.
Yeah, what is it like as aplayer that that entire day?
SPEAKER_03 (08:14):
Um, uh, like I said before, I mean, this is the
first time I actually gotnervous before a game.
Uh, I never get shook or I neverbe nervous, but this time uh
just coming into it, uh like theguys, they would they always
talked about the robbery, and Ikind of more so just laughed
about it.
I'm like, man, because I wasalways a Florida guy.
SPEAKER_00 (08:34):
Yeah, really.
SPEAKER_03 (08:34):
But when you come out those doors, we're facing
each other.
So, I mean, we come out just uhstep by step as you're coming
out for the warmups.
Uh it's just you know,everybody's outside eating
turkey legs and enjoying theatmosphere.
And then when you go back in andyou come back, come back out for
game time, it's split and it'sorange and red, or whatever
(08:56):
their colors is.
Yeah, yeah.
Um, but um, yeah, and it's splitand the ground is just it's
shaking.
And you know, uh the atmosphereis wonderful, man.
I and that at that moment rightthere, I knew like I made the
right decision by coming toTexas.
Yeah, that's I made the rightdecision.
And for the people who haven'tbeen to the game, man, you have
(09:18):
to get there.
Um, take your family and enjoyit, man.
It is it's something that'swonderful to watch.
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
You know, I keep saying that to men, women, uh
friends, whatnot.
If you even if you're not asports fan, you you have to
experience the state fair andthe game.
Oh yeah.
Get there at 10 a.m.
for that 2:30 game or evenearlier.
Uh thank God it's not an 11 a.m.
game anymore.
SPEAKER_03 (09:44):
Thank yes.
That used to get to us as well.
I mean, you got a game, arivalry game like that,
everybody's on edge, man.
You you need some time to relax,but I'm glad they they did push
that uh time back for those guysas well.
SPEAKER_01 (09:57):
Oh god, I used to tell everybody now.
You you briefly mentioned it,but when someone asks you about
that old historic tunnel, Imean, how do you put it in
detail?
Because I I I'm a guy aboutexperience, I can describe the
smell of it to you.
SPEAKER_00 (10:16):
Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (10:17):
How do you how do you tell what's your story with
the tunnel?
SPEAKER_03 (10:21):
Uh man, so when you come out those doors and you you
looking at the opponent in theireyes and we breathing down each
other's neck, you know it's timefor war.
At the end of the day, it'slike, okay, it's about to get
scrappy out here.
And we're gonna go to the clockhit zero.
You can feel that immediatelywhen you open the door.
And uh, I mean, those guys, theywant the hat as bad as we want
(10:43):
the hat.
But um unfortunately, we takeover that, you know, and and we
bring it back home.
But at the end of the day, it'slike it's it's it's almost a
feeling of uh we want to playthe game right there in the
tunnel.
We can get it on right here inthe tunnel.
So and when you when you takethe feel and you have that crowd
behind you, it's feel it feelslike you're on top of the world
(11:05):
in a sense.
SPEAKER_01 (11:06):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's insane.
Uh yeah, that is something thatyou know I I wish everyone could
experience.
SPEAKER_03 (11:14):
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, man.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (11:17):
After you win.
Now, if you don't be though, nowkeep in mind, Nelly, Nelly, that
year in 2018, he and Ominahueand all those greats on that
defensive front and linebackerswere chasing around Kyler Murray
all day.
SPEAKER_03 (11:33):
Oh man, it was a long day.
That was a long day.
That was a good yes, yes.
That was that I that year, Iactually got defensive player of
the game just coming into it,but it was a lot of double
teams.
We had to stop the run, but Imade my mind up, and I wanted to
do anything for my teammates,but um, yeah, we we had a heck
(11:56):
of a year that year, man.
Uh great group of guys.
Um, we actually talking abouthaving a reunion, trying to get
back together with all the guys,man.
Just, you know, chop it up andtalk about good times,
especially like this robberyright here.
So, yep.
SPEAKER_01 (12:10):
And you get and then when you bring Breck and Hager
around, you know, that's oh man,that's my guy.
SPEAKER_03 (12:16):
Oh Breck and Hager.
That's my guy.
Yeah, yeah.
He's the one.
He's the one that's gonna kickuh kick off everything for us.
I mean, we see him out therefirst.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:29):
I know now it's hard now because you're in the
coaching fraternity as a GA.
SPEAKER_00 (12:34):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01 (12:35):
But this is your this is your alma mater, this is
your program.
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (12:39):
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
You guys fought adversity.
You guys were talking about that18 year old uh even 17.
You had a bowl victory, and thenyou ended 2018 playing in the
Big 12 championship and winningthe sugar bowl against Georgia.
You see what your program hasdone with the Coach Sarkees in
the past two or three years.
(13:06):
Agree or disagree, I thought Ithink they have that elite level
talent, but they lost, they lostover 24 guys to the NFL the last
two years.
SPEAKER_00 (13:18):
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (13:19):
I don't know why they were preseason number one.
I think they're a good team.
I think they can still finishwith a good season.
But as a player and a coach, howdo you communicate that to a fan
when you lose that muchhigh-level talent like that?
I mean, we're talking leaders,incredible talent.
(13:40):
What does that do to a program?
SPEAKER_03 (13:43):
I mean, it's hard.
It's hard, it's hard on theguys, especially, I mean, for
those coaches, because at theend of the day, when you come to
Texas, there is no rebuild here.
Um and you wear that the weighton your shoulders as a player.
So those guys, I'm pretty surethey're taking it hard, man.
Uh at the end of the day, thingswill slow down for them.
(14:04):
Right now, it's moving kind offast for those guys.
But the thing is, you have greatcoaches around the program, and
like you said, it's greatathletes.
The talent is the isn't theproblem.
It's the guys have to get insync as first thing.
And once they do that, I mean,hopefully this is the game that
turns turns around the season,to be honest with you.
But once they do that, I thinkthings will be okay.
SPEAKER_01 (14:26):
I gotta ask you that.
What did that win in 2018 do foryou guys for the rest of the
year?
I mean, I you guys started off alittle, I mean, it was it was
strange, but you knew you guyswere that good.
What did that win over Oklahomado for you guys the rest of the
year?
SPEAKER_03 (14:45):
Um I mean, it gave us another sense of confidence.
That season, that year, wealready knew it was gonna be
different because we had beentogether so long.
Then we had a group of guys whowere dedicated, and we didn't
have no selfish guys, no cockyguys.
Guys just was willing to comework.
And after that win, we knew likeit could be done.
So let's lock in even more.
(15:06):
And um, and that's really whatit was, man.
And guys start growing outsideof football, um, to gain better
relationships with guys on theteam, and um from there we just
took off.
I mean, things, it was justreally small issues for us as a
team, but other than that, weknew we were gonna be great.
SPEAKER_01 (15:25):
You guys were fun.
I'll tell you, you guys were notlacking personalities.
I'll tell you that.
SPEAKER_03 (15:29):
Oh, yeah, oh yeah.
Yeah, we had some differentpersonalities.
The D-line room always had you.
We got a brand new juice.
We're different kinds of guys,we're wired different.
SPEAKER_01 (15:38):
So you guys made my life so easy and then and and
fun, and then they you guysbrought in Trey Watson at
running back.
Oh yeah, there wasn't amicrophone.
He and Brecken Hager, therewasn't a microphone that they
didn't like.
SPEAKER_03 (15:56):
It's the things you guys didn't see from them.
So, I mean, those guys there,those two right there, man, they
kept the whole locker roomenergy and vibe where where it
was supposed to be, man.
And though those were thethings, though.
Like those are the things youmiss the most when you get done
playing this game.
Um, though, we still keep uhkeeping communication to this
(16:17):
day.
Uh, we try to, even thougheverybody got their different
lives, families and whatnot likethat, but we try to keep in
touch with each other.
Because that's what it's allabout at the end, nigga.
SPEAKER_01 (16:28):
And you guys had a great, great group, you know,
and on the offense, SamEllinger.
I mean, I talk about the topkids right there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:36):
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, and he was a guy, Sam.
He was a guy who could fit inany room.
I mean, wherever room he wasgoing to, he could fit in.
I mean, he was a true, true guywith character.
You knew when he went out there,he he put everything on his
shoulders for the team.
Um, and that's what made us goeven harder.
Yep.
SPEAKER_01 (16:55):
Man, well, I loved it.
I felt I felt blessed that I gotto share that the entire time
when you were there.
Yeah.
So what time?
UTSA plays Rice, and that'swhere you guys playing in SA or
Houston?
SPEAKER_03 (17:12):
Uh, we'll be right here in SA at the Alamo Dome,
man.
If you can't get to uh Dallas,go on come down the road to the
210, uh, get your popcorn readybecause it will be a show.
SPEAKER_01 (17:25):
Hey, it's easy to be a roadrunner fan, especially
with Jeff Kraylor and uh uhNelly here.
Um any projections?
Or as a coach, do you feel likeyou can make a prediction for
what's gonna happen in Dallas?
Or is that something you'd liketo avoid?
SPEAKER_03 (17:46):
I know, I know we call this game a shootout, but I
really I don't think it might bea high-scoring game.
I really don't.
I think it's gonna go, I thinkthat both sides defense will
show up on both sides, and Ithink it's gonna shock a lot of
people, and it's gonna be a gamewhere they're just gonna have to
keep it steady and playcomplimentary football.
(18:07):
Uh the people the fans areprobably not gonna like it, but
I think that's what it's gonnacome down to.
SPEAKER_01 (18:13):
I think you're right.
I honestly do.
I feel the same way.
I think John Mateer will comeout and play quarterback after
healing from that hand surgery.
SPEAKER_00 (18:23):
Yeah, you knew he'd be back.
SPEAKER_01 (18:26):
You know how that game works.
Yeah, uh, I gotta say this.
This is not me being a fan, it'snot me being biased at all.
I really think there's gonna besome guys on both sides of the
ball for Texas.
Grow up and mature this week.
SPEAKER_03 (18:41):
As well.
Mm-hmm.
Yep.
Um, uh I I totally I totallyagree with that, man, because
this game actually does grow youup.
Um you have to have it.
So, like the tunnel will getthose guys right.
Like at that moment, those youngguys will know, like, we got to
come on with it.
And um, of course, it's gonna beit's gonna be eye-opening at
(19:03):
first, but one after that, youknow, that first quarter,
whatnot, I think everything'sgonna slow down.
We're gonna see something thatthat shocks us as well.
SPEAKER_01 (19:11):
I I think it's gonna be fun.
We're gonna see a lot of plays.
Hey, we have a fan, uh, storiesinside the man cave loyal
viewer.
Uh, I just to protect heridentity.
She just she's in San Antonio.
She said the 2-1-0 is where it'sat.
Birds up.
SPEAKER_03 (19:25):
Okay, yes, birds up, birds up.
I love it.
I love it here.
SPEAKER_01 (19:30):
She's a legacy Longhorn and her family and
season ticket holder of Texas.
But she loves San Antonio, andshe told me to tell you hello,
Coach Nelson.
SPEAKER_03 (19:42):
Oh man, hello, how are you doing?
And uh, thank you.
And if you can't make it to thegame, come on down to the 210,
and we're gonna get thingsrocking.
That's right, my brother.
SPEAKER_01 (19:53):
Hey, good luck to you guys this weekend, and man,
always love to Nelly.
And you I I think you're athree-time storage inside the
Man Cake VIP alumni.
SPEAKER_03 (20:04):
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
I got I have to uh give back tomy guy, man.
He's been doing wonderful thingsever since I've been in college.
Uh, and and the relationshipoutside of college, it just kept
going.
Um, I can't complain.
Uh, the podcast, we're gonnakeep it moving anytime he asked
for me.
I'm gonna, you know, make myschedule free for you as well,
because it's been nothing butlove at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_01 (20:26):
And it will always be that way.
And you know, you know, if youdidn't know already, anything
you, your family ever need,seriously, need a favor, require
anything, you know.
I'm there.
SPEAKER_03 (20:37):
Oh, yeah, I know it, and it's the same way.
We return the same favor aswell, brother.
SPEAKER_01 (20:42):
Much love.
What is any final message youwant to tell the Longhorn
Nation?
SPEAKER_03 (20:47):
Oh man, uh, I just want to tell everybody here,
man.
Uh, it's great being back.
Um, y'all need to get out andsupport those guys.
Either way it goes, man.
Those guys are gonna come outand they're gonna put on the
show.
And hopefully we can bring thathat back home.
SPEAKER_01 (21:03):
Now you have a Sooner on your coaching staff.
Has he how many times has hetold you or said something about
Boomer Sooner in your presence?
SPEAKER_03 (21:11):
Uh uh, it's been it's been pretty much every day.
I can't even lie to you.
Yeah, it's been every day.
We've been going back and forth.
Uh, please get this win so I cancelebrate in the w in the right
way.
SPEAKER_01 (21:25):
We don't have a wager set up.
SPEAKER_02 (21:27):
Oh, we got something set to the side, man.
We got something set to theside.
I I can't I can't disclose it,but we don't we're gonna bring
it home so I don't have to dealwith the consequences.
SPEAKER_01 (21:42):
Much love and to all of you watching this on
Instagram.
Thank you.
And uh be sure to like followeach of our social media
platforms and on Monday, thepast rush was really we're gonna
recap this game and then MikeAdams and I think depending on
when we all get back fromDallas, we're gonna have uh
Instagram live.
(22:03):
Hopefully we're talking we'regonna bring up uh Nelly and the
Roadrunners for their big win aswell.
SPEAKER_03 (22:08):
Yes, sir.
We go two for two.
SPEAKER_01 (22:11):
Let's do it.
Hey, Nelly, much love, guys,man, and you guys have a good
night.
SPEAKER_03 (22:18):
Oh, yeah.
Thank y'all for y'all time.
SPEAKER_01 (22:20):
Absolutely, brother.
Victory over 102 for you andyour club members.
I don't have any things yet.
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