Bob Nielson retired last season after 35 years as a head coach at multiple levels, winning wherever he went.

His last stop was a USD, where he turned the Coyotes into a national championship contender by his ninth and final season in 2024. Shortly after they fell 14 points short of reaching the FCS title game.

Nielson retired a month later, turning over the program to his accomplished defensive coordinator Travis Johansen.

In part one of a one-hour interview, Nielson — now living in Sioux City and working as a consultant for the American Football Coaches Association and as an FCS Oversight Committee member — describes the first year of adult life outside of coaching and athletic administration.

The Iowa native discusses the major issues facing college football at all levels — yep, mostly NIL and the transfer portal — and where things might be headed.