For Nebraska football coach Mike Riley, the new school year has brought new players, new traditions and plenty of challenges on the field. But he’s also been adjusting to a big change off the field: dorm life at Neihardt Residence Hall.

“I wanted to live on campus my first year so I could really get the full Husker experience,” Riley explained, who lives on the fourth floor of the Piper wing of Neihardt. “Being from out of state, this is a great way to make new friends.”

While some Neihardt residents were initially unsure about an adult head coach living among them, they were quickly won over by his laid-back, friendly demeanor.

“It was a little weird at first to be living with a 62-year-old man,” admitted Michael Nash, Riley’s 18-year-old freshman roommate. “But he’s just such a nice guy.”

Riley’s floormates said they’ve been impressed with how the coach has balanced his football responsibilities with staying active in the dorm community.

“We know Mike’s a busy guy with the team and everything, so it’s pretty cool that he still comes to floor events, like movie night and frisbee golf,” said Jordan Reinhart, the resident assistant for Riley’s floor. “Except for the football watch parties – he always misses those.”

A few sportswriters have questioned why a head football coach with a multi-million dollar contract lives in student housing, but Riley isn’t ashamed of his on-campus lifestyle. In his postgame interview following the Huskers’ win over Southern Miss, Riley proudly declared, “This one’s for the guys on Piper 4!”

Although the fall semester has only just begun, Riley told The DailyER he’s already thinking about the future.

“My wife wants me to move off campus next year, but UNL has so many exciting housing options,” Riley said between bites at the CPN Dining Hall. “Right now, I’m looking at University Suites, or the Courtyards… as long as I can still come back here for Mini-Pizza Mondays.”