Stories Inside the Man Cave
Stories Inside the Man Cave
Red River Rivalry Week with "Nelly", former Longhorn, Chris Nelson
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.
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Red River Rivalry. We are two days away. And one of my favorite former Longhorns, uh I think your senior season was 2018, the Nelly. We called him Nellie, Chris Nelson. You're now a graduate assistant coach for Jeff Trailer at UT San Antonio, man. You're a Florida guy. Yes, sir. What did you know about this rivalry before you decided to play for the Texas Longhorns?
SPEAKER_03: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 the face for me, uh, and honesty. Uh, when I just coming out that tunnel seeing both sides split like that, man, it was everything. And we was just uh I I got another coach, he he also played at OU as well, but we was just talking at practice, practice today, and we was like, man, you honestly have to be there to to experience it, like to really feel it. Um, it was a great experience for me, and I'm glad and appreciative to uh be able to play in it, play any game.
SPEAKER_01:So I remember you know, you hear all the stories. I I love telling the story about the tunnel, and we'll get to that here shortly. But you had the opportunity. Now you got you did the teams you played on, you beat OU twice, right?
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir, yes, sir. We got the hat back on two times.
SPEAKER_01:And Nelly, if you if you're watching us, go to our Twitter handle at Stories Man Cave and on the Instagram page. We he started the the belly rub, and and that was something that we loved, and we love talking to Nelly every time. Just a great interview, humble, great defensive tackle. Uh play pro ball for a while after Texas. But most of all, your your favorite role now is husband and dad.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01:So it's about this growing Nelly family you have.
SPEAKER_03:Oh man, I mean, they they along the way. I have a football family. They, of course, they've been following me through my playing years and now coaching. So we've kind of been all over the place, but we've just been enjoying the moment. We uh living on the high right now, uh coaching under Jeff uh trailer. Uh wonderful coach as well. I mean, I I think I made the best decision uh being here back in Texas. Um, my wife wanted to come back here. My kids love it. So to be honest with you, I can't complain.
SPEAKER_01:Hey, can you tell uh Coach Trailer? He's uh stories inside the Man K VIP alumni. I think three times. He's just one of those, he is truly a part of the Texas fabric, man. You and you got to, I think he was there for that year when he was uh on the staff of Coach Strong, right? You you got to be um coach by him a little bit.
SPEAKER_03:Oh yeah, oh yeah, man. He uh he helped us out a lot, man. When when Coach Strong was putting us through to uh torture uh every day at you know, back back then we had tour days, but he always had that look in his eyes like, man, these guys are going through it. Um and we just stuck, we stuck by him, man. Like uh, and I mean he he's blessed me with the opportunity to give me a job to come coach. So I can't thank him enough for doing that for me.
SPEAKER_01:And a great program Coach Trailer has established. Uh they talk about UTSA across the country, and finally, I you know, I it's I know it's nothing to joke about, but uh he has had that program at such a high, and then like every program, you deal with a little rebuilding, you guys are young and you have some talent. Uh watch watch these Roadrunners this year, uh how they finish. I promise you. Uh I would say to put uh money on Chris Nelson, Jeff Trailer, and that UTSA staff that you'll be in a bowl game for sure.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yes, sir. Oh yeah. That's the goal. That's the goal, and we we're gonna get that too as well, man. Uh we I love these guys here. They have a hunger inside of them. Yes, they they are young. Um, guys are just becoming to become being synced right now. Uh, we just we're trying to slow the game down for them. Uh but at the end of the day, we have an uh a hell of a time uh at UTSA. I can't complain. Uh these guys love it, man. I I know we're gonna get it back turned in the right direction.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, there's no doubt. And uh and I think even better chance with you on board as a GA. And uh hey, for everyone watching this, if you're a college coach, I hope you stay at UTSA or go to Texas afterwards. But uh this is a good one. You want your D line to go to the next level, Nelly's your guy.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah. Appreciate it, man. I I really I truly appreciate that, man. I'm just uh I'm just a guy right here, man. I I I honestly give everything to these kids, man. I try to give them a balance in life. Uh we fly around on that football field and we have fun at the end of the day. Um, also, you know, just trying to teach them about, you know, this is not gonna last forever. Just teaching them the steps to take. Um, you know, everybody's not gonna be a coach, a ball coach, but whatever you want to do in life, you know, just giving them those goals and aspirations, slowing it down for them. Uh and I mean they taking heed to it. I I love this profession that I'm in, man, and it's been great for me.
SPEAKER_01:Well, part of we're all products of all of our experiences. You mentioned it, the golden hat trophy. I gotta show you a video for those who aren't sure. That's a trophy given to the winner of the Texas OU game, or if you're north of the Red River, it's OU Texas. But um tradition also, you guys take the golden hat off the 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 were you? I'll show you the video. Let me know where you were in this video.
SPEAKER_03:Trey Watson. That is a wonderful feeling right there, man. Just looking back on it. Uh I was actually in the back corner smoking a cigar. That game, that was a long game. I mean, chasing around uh all over the field. Uh of course they had some wonderful uh athletes as well. I mean, we went toe for toe. Uh uh at the end of the day, we know uh Texas is not where we want it to be right now, but this game right here really doesn't matter for both teams. Uh these guys are gonna come out and it's gonna be a great game. It always is. It comes down to the wire. Um, who wants it more?
SPEAKER_01:Well, before we dig deeper into it, uh, I definitely want to uh pay tribute to one of our new sponsors. Uh, for those fans who are seeking 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 North Austin, this is where you need to go to pick up those said beverages. And we're gonna have to introduce you to Dave Ramirez because uh you being a um aficionado of cigars, victory cigars, Dave, man. I'll have to we'll have to send you um something like that.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, hopefully I can get with him after the game.
SPEAKER_01:Oh god, he'll take care of it. Before we talk more, just the encapsulate going down the tunnel or arriving at the state fair, as you're going through that locker room as you enter those two little gates, you go depending on your home or visitor of that game, you go left or right as soon as you get up and closing those gates to when you go to warm-up and the entire environment, and then you go back down for game time. Hey, what's the energy? Because you know, I've gone down that tunnel with you guys and several times, and when I was covering Oklahoma when I worked up there. Yeah, what is it like as a player that that entire day?
SPEAKER_03:Um, uh, like I said before, I mean, this is the first time I actually got nervous before a game. Uh, I never get shook or I never be nervous, but this time uh just coming into it, uh like the guys, they would they always talked about the robbery, and I kind of more so just laughed about it. I'm like, man, because I was always a Florida guy.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, really.
SPEAKER_03:But when you come out those doors, we're facing each other. So, I mean, we come out just uh step by step as you're coming out for the warmups. Uh it's just you know, everybody's outside eating turkey legs and enjoying the atmosphere. And then when you go back in and you come back, come back out for game time, it's split and it's orange and red, or whatever their colors is. Yeah, yeah. Um, but um, yeah, and it's split and the ground is just it's shaking. And you know, uh the atmosphere is wonderful, man. I and that at that moment right there, I knew like I made the right decision by coming to Texas. Yeah, that's I made the right decision. And for the people who haven't been to the game, man, you have to get there. Um, take your family and enjoy it, man. It is it's something that's wonderful to watch.
SPEAKER_01:You know, I keep saying that to men, women, uh friends, whatnot. If you even if you're not a sports fan, you you have to experience the state fair and the game. Oh yeah. Get there at 10 a.m. for that 2:30 game or even earlier. Uh thank God it's not an 11 a.m. game anymore.
SPEAKER_03:Thank yes. That used to get to us as well. I mean, you got a game, a rivalry 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 guys as well.
SPEAKER_01:Oh god, I used to tell everybody now. You you briefly mentioned it, but when someone asks you about that old historic tunnel, I mean, how do you put it in detail? Because I I I'm a guy about experience, I can describe the smell of it to you.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:How do you how do you tell what's your story with the tunnel?
SPEAKER_03:Uh man, so when you come out those doors and you you looking at the opponent in their eyes and we breathing down each other's neck, you know it's time for war. At the end of the day, it's like, okay, it's about to get scrappy out here. And we're gonna go to the clock hit zero. You can feel that immediately when you open the door. And uh, I mean, those guys, they want the hat as bad as we want the hat. But um unfortunately, we take over that, you know, and and we bring it back home. But at the end of the day, it's like it's it's it's almost a feeling of uh we want to play the game right there in the tunnel. We can get it on right here in the tunnel. So and when you when you take the feel and you have that crowd behind you, it's feel it feels like you're on top of the world in a sense.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's insane. Uh yeah, that is something that you know I I wish everyone could experience.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah. Yeah, man. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:After you win. Now, if you don't be though, now keep in mind, Nelly, Nelly, that year in 2018, he and Ominahue and all those greats on that defensive front and linebackers were chasing around Kyler Murray all day.
SPEAKER_03:Oh man, it was a long day. That was a long day. That was a good yes, yes. That was that I that year, I actually 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 I made my mind up, and I wanted to do anything for my teammates, but um, yeah, we we had a heck of a year that year, man. Uh great group of guys. Um, we actually talking about having a reunion, trying to get back together with all the guys, man. Just, you know, chop it up and talk about good times, especially like this robbery right here. So, yep.
SPEAKER_01:And you get and then when you bring Breck and Hager around, you know, that's oh man, that's my guy.
SPEAKER_03:Oh Breck and Hager. That's my guy. Yeah, yeah. He's the one. He's the one that's gonna kick uh kick off everything for us. I mean, we see him out there first. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I know now it's hard now because you're in the coaching fraternity as a GA.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01:But this is your this is your alma mater, this is your program. Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01:You guys fought adversity. You guys were talking about that 18 year old uh even 17. You had a bowl victory, and then you ended 2018 playing in the Big 12 championship and winning the sugar bowl against Georgia. You see what your program has done with the Coach Sarkees in the past two or three years. Agree or disagree, I thought I think they have that elite level talent, but they lost, they lost over 24 guys to the NFL the last two years.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I don't know why they were preseason number one. I think they're a good team. I think they can still finish with a good season. But as a player and a coach, how do you communicate that to a fan when you lose that much high-level talent like that? I mean, we're talking leaders, incredible talent. What does that do to a program?
SPEAKER_03:I mean, it's hard. It's hard, it's hard on the guys, especially, I mean, for those coaches, because at the end of the day, when you come to Texas, there is no rebuild here. Um and you wear that the weight on your shoulders as a player. So those guys, I'm pretty sure they're taking it hard, man. Uh at the end of the day, things will slow down for them. Right now, it's moving kind of fast for those guys. But the thing is, you have great coaches around the program, and like you said, it's great athletes. The talent is the isn't the problem. It's the guys have to get in sync 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 think things will be okay.
SPEAKER_01:I gotta ask you that. What did that win in 2018 do for you guys for the rest of the year? I mean, I you guys started off a little, I mean, it was it was strange, but you knew you guys were that good. What did that win over Oklahoma do for you guys the rest of the year?
SPEAKER_03:Um I mean, it gave us another sense of confidence. That season, that year, we already knew it was gonna be different because we had been together so long. Then we had a group of guys who were dedicated, and we didn't have no selfish guys, no cocky guys. Guys just was willing to come work. And after that win, we knew like it could be done. So let's lock in even more. And um, and that's really what it was, man. And guys start growing outside of football, um, to gain better relationships with guys on the team, and um from there we just took off. I mean, things, it was just really small issues for us as a team, but other than that, we knew we were gonna be great.
SPEAKER_01:You guys were fun. I'll tell you, you guys were not lacking personalities. I'll tell you that.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah, oh yeah. Yeah, we had some different personalities. 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:So you guys made my life so easy and then and and fun, and then they you guys brought in Trey Watson at running back. Oh yeah, there wasn't a microphone. He and Brecken Hager, there wasn't a microphone that they didn't like.
SPEAKER_03: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 room energy and vibe where where it was supposed to be, man. And though those were the things, though. Like those are the things you miss the most when you get done playing this game. Um, though, we still keep uh keeping communication to this day. Uh, we try to, even though everybody got their different lives, families and whatnot like that, but we try to keep in touch with each other. Because that's what it's all about at the end, nigga.
SPEAKER_01:And you guys had a great, great group, you know, and on the offense, Sam Ellinger. I mean, I talk about the top kids right there.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and he was a guy, Sam. He was a guy who could fit in any room. I mean, wherever room he was going to, he could fit in. I mean, he was a true, true guy with 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 go even harder. Yep.
SPEAKER_01:Man, well, I loved it. I felt I felt blessed that I got to share that the entire time when you were there. Yeah. So what time? UTSA plays Rice, and that's where you guys playing in SA or Houston?
SPEAKER_03: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 ready because it will be a show.
SPEAKER_01:Hey, it's easy to be a roadrunner fan, especially with Jeff Kraylor and uh uh Nelly here. Um any projections? Or as a coach, do you feel like you can make a prediction for what's gonna happen in Dallas? Or is that something you'd like to avoid?
SPEAKER_03:I know, I know we call this game a shootout, but I really I don't think it might be a high-scoring game. I really don't. I think it's gonna go, I think that both sides defense will show up on both sides, and I think it's gonna shock a lot of people, and it's gonna be a game where they're just gonna have to keep it steady and play complimentary football. Uh the people the fans are probably not gonna like it, but I think that's what it's gonna come down to.
SPEAKER_01:I think you're right. I honestly do. I feel the same way. I think John Mateer will come out and play quarterback after healing from that hand surgery.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, you knew he'd be back.
SPEAKER_01:You know how that game works. Yeah, uh, I gotta say this. This is not me being a fan, it's not me being biased at all. I really think there's gonna be some guys on both sides of the ball for Texas. Grow up and mature this week.
SPEAKER_03:As well. Mm-hmm. Yep. Um, uh I I totally I totally agree with that, man, because this game actually does grow you up. Um you have to have it. So, like the tunnel will get those guys right. Like at that moment, those young guys will know, like, we got to come on with it. And um, of course, it's gonna be it's gonna be eye-opening at first, but one after that, you know, that first quarter, whatnot, I think everything's gonna slow down. We're gonna see something that that shocks us as well.
SPEAKER_01:I I think it's gonna be fun. We're gonna see a lot of plays. Hey, we have a fan, uh, stories inside the man cave loyal viewer. Uh, I just to protect her identity. She just she's in San Antonio. She said the 2-1-0 is where it's at. Birds up.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, yes, birds up, birds up. I love it. I love it here.
SPEAKER_01:She's a legacy Longhorn and her family and season ticket holder of Texas. But she loves San Antonio, and she told me to tell you hello, Coach Nelson.
SPEAKER_03:Oh man, hello, how are you doing? And uh, thank you. And if you can't make it to the game, come on down to the 210, and we're gonna get things rocking. That's right, my brother.
SPEAKER_01:Hey, good luck to you guys this weekend, and man, always love to Nelly. And you I I think you're a three-time storage inside the Man Cake VIP alumni.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I got I have to uh give back to my guy, man. He's been doing wonderful things ever since I've been in college. Uh, and and the relationship outside of college, it just kept going. Um, I can't complain. Uh, the podcast, we're gonna keep it moving anytime he asked for me. I'm gonna, you know, make my schedule free for you as well, because it's been nothing but love at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_01:And it will always be that way. And you know, you know, if you didn't know already, anything you, your family ever need, seriously, need a favor, require anything, you know. I'm there.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah, I know it, and it's the same way. We return the same favor as well, brother.
SPEAKER_01:Much love. What is any final message you want to tell the Longhorn Nation?
SPEAKER_03:Oh man, uh, I just want to tell everybody here, man. Uh, it's great being back. Um, y'all need to get out and support those guys. Either way it goes, man. Those guys are gonna come out and they're gonna put on the show. And hopefully we can bring that hat back home.
SPEAKER_01:Now you have a Sooner on your coaching staff. Has he how many times has he told you or said something about Boomer Sooner in your presence?
SPEAKER_03: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 can celebrate in the w in the right way.
SPEAKER_01:We don't have a wager set up.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, we got something set to the side, man. We got something set to the side. 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 deal with the consequences.
SPEAKER_01:Much love and to all of you watching this on Instagram. Thank you. And uh be sure to like follow each of our social media platforms and on Monday, the past rush was really we're gonna recap this game and then Mike Adams and I think depending on when we all get back from Dallas, we're gonna have uh Instagram live. Hopefully we're talking we're gonna bring up uh Nelly and the Roadrunners for their big win as well.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, sir. We go two for two.
SPEAKER_01:Let's do it. Hey, Nelly, much love, guys, man, and you guys have a good night.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yeah. Thank y'all for y'all time.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely, brother. Victory over 102 for you and your club members. I don't have any things yet.