Episode 446 of Airey Bros Radio features Josh Nolan, Head Wrestling Coach at Northern State University, breaking down his first season leading the Wolves wrestling program in NCAA Division II.In year one, Nolan led Northern State to an 8–5 record, Top-25 NWCA ranking, and NCAA D2 All-American finish from Rudy Lopez (149 lbs)—a strong foundation for one of the rising programs in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).A former NCAA Division II All-American at San Francisco State, Nolan has coached Fargo All-Americans, USA Wrestling standouts, and national-level athletes, bringing a deep developmental perspective to college wrestling.This episode is a must-listen for:High school wrestlers navigating the recruiting processParents looking for the right college fitCoaches building culture and long-term developmentFans of NCAA Division II wrestling🎯 Topics Covered:Taking over Northern State Wrestling in year oneBuilding a championship culture in Aberdeen, South DakotaCoaching NCAA All-AmericansRecruiting philosophy: “Do you love wrestling?”Club coaching vs college coachingNCAA D2 wrestling landscape & NSIC competitionDeveloping athletes on and off the mat💡 As always, Airey Bros Radio shines a light on programs and opportunities across NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels—giving athletes the insight we wish we had during the recruiting process.🔗 FOLLOW & SUPPORT ABR🎥 YouTube🎧 Spotify📸 Instagram: @aireybrosradio☕ Support the show🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching⏱️ SHOW NOTES + TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Why Airey Bros Radio Exists - Recruiting insight, breaking the “D1 or bust” mindset, and spotlighting overlooked opportunities in college athletics.1:37 – ABR Show Open (Howdy & Aloha) Value-for-value model + mission to highlight hidden gems in college sports.2:28 – Introducing Coach Josh Nolan / First-year head coach, 8–5 season, Top-25 ranking, NCAA D2 All-American (Rudy Lopez).3:10 – Where to Find Northern State Wrestling / Instagram, resources, camps, and recruiting touchpoints.4:01 – Small World Connections (ABR Throughline) From South Carolina to South Dakota—how ABR finds guests.7:20 – Nolan’s Wrestling Origin Story Growing up in Quincy, CA → influence of coaches → going all-in.10:24 – Recruiting Journey → San Francisco State Late development, exposure, and finding the right college fit.11:26 – Transition into Coaching From PE major to high school coach → GA at Northern State.13:10 – Coaching Journey Across the Country South Dakota → Texas → club wrestling → Georgia → back to Northern.17:05 – First Season Recap (Nationals Run) 3 national qualifiers, 1 All-American, strong team growth.21:42 – Biggest Surprise as a First-Year Head Coach Team buy-in, culture continuity, and leadership growth.25:29 – Club Coaching vs College Coaching Why 10 years in club wrestling prepared him for college success.27:56 – The CEO Role of a College Coach Balancing admin work, coaching, and program leadership.30:23 – Recruiting Philosophy “Do you love wrestling?” → culture fit over everything.34:00 – Northern State Wrestling Culture Developing great athletes, students, and pe