LINCOLN For a first-year coach taking over a program that finished 5-7 last season, Bo Pelini's goal for Nebraska in spring practice is simplistic.
"Just keep building a foundation," Pelini said Monday at Memorial Stadium. "We started on that through what we've been doing down in the weight room and the conditioning program, developing the athleticism and that type of thing.
"Now, we just get to put some X's and O's and that aspect along with it. We get, obviously, more hands on with these guys now and lay the bricks down and the foundation for what we need to do."
Pelini and his staff have plenty of rebuilding to do when spring drills start Wednesday. The Cornhuskers, who suffered through just their second losing season since 1961 last year, will complete their four-week, 15-session spring season April 19 with the annual Red-White game.
Prior to that, Pelini concedes that there's a lot of ground to cover.
"We've got a short amount time to get it done, but we're looking forward to it and the players have been very receptive," Pelini said. "They've really started coming together and understand where we're coming from."
Senior quarterback Joe Ganz said Pelini's philosophies have been received positively by most of the players.
"He just brings that mentality that we kind of need around here that tough, defensive-minded mentality," Ganz said. "He's a hard-nosed guy and a hard-nosed coach. He's a great X's and O's guy, but he knows how to motivate his players."
The start of spring practice signals a fresh start for everyone. Returning starter or redshirt freshman, it doesn't matter everyone begins on equal footing, Pelini said.
"They know that they're all going to get looked at and they're all going to get an opportunity," Pelini said. "Competition is a great thing. It brings out the best in everybody."
Pelini said he and his staff enter spring practice with no pre-conceived notions.
"I'll be honest with you, I haven't really watched a whole heck of a lot of tape and we really haven't as a staff," Pelini said. "We're just looking forward to getting out there, getting these guys coached and making everybody better."
Despite a roster that contains a vast majority of players who were recruited by former coach Bill Callahan and his staff, Pelini doesn't seem to anticipate any problems with players not buying into his system.
After all, Pelini comes to Nebraska from LSU where, as defensive coordinator, he guided the Tigers to No. 3 national rankings in defense. More importantly, Pelini's team captured the national title last season, beating Ohio State in the BCS championship game a little more than a month after he took the head coaching job with the Huskers.
Add to that the defensive revival Pelini engineered during his first stop at Nebraska as defensive coordinator in 2003.
"They're going to see that our way works," Pelini said. "I believe it's proven on both sides of the ball that what we do and what we believe in has a proven track record, but there's not a lot of room for debate. It's going to be done certain ways.
"If they want to do it another way, there are a lot of other Division I football programs they can play at."
It seems the Huskers have taken Pelini's my-way-or-the-highway message to heart.
"You've got to have an open mind and open arms because this happens a lot to programs all over the nation," tackle Lydon Murtha said. "You have to accept it because if you don't you're not going to go anywhere. We gladly accept it and we're looking for something that's going to take us to a higher level than last year."
What exactly is the Pelini Way?
"The right way," Pelini said. "Our foundation of what we do is built on effort first and attitude and focus not just what you're doing, but how you're doing it.
"We're going to be on the cutting edge X's- and O's-wise, but you can't lose sight of the fundamentals and technique and how you go about your business both off the field and on the field."
The aspect of total accountability and responsibility from the time his players wake up until the time they go to bed each night is what Pelini often refers to as building a culture of winning.
"One thing leads to another," Pelini said. "If you do things the wrong way, it's going to lead to bad things. If you do things the right way, it's going to lead to good things, both for them personally and as a football player.
"It has taken some time, but that's our belief and that's what our program is going to be built on."
As for spring practice, Pelini said the Huskers will start with the basics. The end product is no concern, he said.
"If we focus on the little things and start with square one and start at beginning and build and build correctly, then the end product will take of itself," Pelini said. "You can make the mistake of trying to be the Patriots tomorrow we're not going to be that on Wednesday. It's about teaching, it's about developing and getting the players to know us and us to know them, know what their strengths are and then tweak the system accordingly."
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