He may be retired. He may no longer be in charge of the FCS football powerhouse he built. 

But former South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier has certainly not vanished from the Dykhouse complex.

In his first Happy Hour interview since reacting to successor Jimmy Rogers leaving and taking his whole staff and over a dozen SDSU players with him, "Stig" gives his observations and stories about:

• The five SDSU spring football practices he attended
• Dan Jackson as a head coach
• Trip to Northwestern to see former Jackrabbits Zach Lujan (offensive coordinator), Christian Smith (defensive line coach) and Griffin Wilde (wide receiver)
• Recent family vacation to Central America 
• Communication with Jimmy Rogers since Rogers took over Washington State

The Head Coach Emeritus who guided SDSU to the 2022 national title in the final game of his 25-year run sizes up expectations for the 2025 squad full of new players and an entirely new staff, made partly of familiar faces.

And, yes, Stig offers plenty of insight and opinion on NIL, the transfer portal, how it affects SDSU and all FCS teams, and what it takes to succeed in this era.