(By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer) – Former Iowa State football coach Jim Walden is enjoying the success of the 12th-ranked Cyclones. Iowa State is 7-2 overall and has secured at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. The 82-year-old Walden is retired in Idaho. He says he watches every Iowa State game on television.

This undated photo provided by Iowa State Athletics Communications shows Iowa NCAA college football coach Jim Walden. .Walden, now 82, is retired in Idaho and watches every Iowa State game on television. He’s been back to Ames for two games since Matt Campbell took over in 2016 but has never had a chance to talk to him. (Iowa State Athletics Communications via AP)

Walden says he plans to text or call current coach Matt Campbell to thank him for turning around a program that hasn’t won a conference title in football since 1912.