MOSCOW, Idaho - Tom Cable was all smiles Tuesday evening after the University of Idaho Vandals completed their first spring football practice.

One reason was the one-time offensive line coach now is teaching the position again as part of a staff reorganization. While Cable has added a position assignment to his coaching duties, the defensive side of the ball welcomed line coach Spence Nowinsky and secondary coach Greg Jackson. Coordinator Ed Lamb, who used to double as the secondary coach, now is concentrating on the overall defense. Rich Fisher returns as linebacker coach.

The main reason for Cable's enthusiasm after Tuesday's practice is a renewed vigor among the Vandals as they gear up for the 2003 season.

"When you struggle like we did the last two seasons," Cable said, "you look forward to spring ball for a couple of reasons. One, you put it behind you. The other is this is a great group of kids. The commitment out here today is a great thing to see as a coach."

The commitment for this year's team started early when the Vandals began their winter conditioning with a rugged session of drills. Cable said even then the players showed a stronger commitment to one another and a more intense desire to work.

"They really grew," he said. "They began to count on each other.

"To say I'm not elated would be unfair. They're doing everything we ask."

As for his own new challenges, Cable couldn't be happier.

"That's my world," said Cable of coaching the offensive line where he once played for the Vandals. "I love it. It's the greatest thing ever."

Nevertheless, the linemen have to adjust to his style versus that of former line coach Tim Drevno, now the offensive coordinator at the University of San Diego.

"It's a learning process," he said. "But just doing it again has made my week."

An early overall assessment of the team, however, will have to wait until he has a chance to watch Tuesday's practice films. With his eyes on the offensive line, there wasn't much of an opportunity to rate every phase.

The goals of spring ball haven't changed, though.

"Offensively, we need a higher level of consistency, which comes through a more consistent running game," Cable said. "And ball security. We have to take better care of the football.

"Defensively, we have two new coaches but they're all on the same page. That's a big part of it. The other thing is we've told them to be aggressive: If you take the chance, it's OK."

Finally, the Vandals need a sure-fire kicker.

"We don't need someone who is good 50 percent of the time," he said.

The Vandals return to the practice field Wednesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and at 9 a.m. Saturday. They follow the same schedule the next two weeks with the final week featuring practices Tuesday and Wednesday with the annual Silver and Gold game April 25 at 6:30 p.m.