Greg McMackin went through his first day of practice as the University of Hawai'i head football coach yesterday, and he implemented a subtle change just before the team called it a day.

When the Warriors gathered for a final team meeting, it was the offensive players who jogged across the field to join the defensive players.

It was always the other way around the previous nine seasons under June Jones, who left to take over at Southern Methodist University in early January.

"At the end of practice a new thing we did, the offense came to us finally," said senior defensive lineman David Veikune. "Every year we would always have to go to them. But this year, they came to us."

Added senior linebacker Adam Leonard: "The first day, instead of running down to the offense, he said just relax and let them come to us."

McMackin, the Warriors' defensive coordinator last season, was the last one to step onto the UH practice field yesterday as Hawai'i opened the 15 days of spring practice.

The task ahead of him is a difficult one.

The Warriors are coming off their most successful season in history: a 12-1 record, Western Athletic Conference championship and appearance in the BCS Allstate Sugar Bowl.

But the Warriors also lost record-breaking quarterback Colt Brennan, who finished third in last season's Heisman Trophy voting, and the four starting receivers in the run-and-shoot offense.

"I think this spring we find out who the guys we have (that can play), and competition makes us a better football team," McMackin said. "That's what we're going to have ... competition."

The players have been on off-season training programs, but yesterday at 7 a.m. was the first day they stepped onto the field and practiced together since last season.

"It feels good getting out here early in the morning," Veikune said. "We're usually sleeping in or in the weight room at this time. Now we're on the field, and this is what it's all around."

The team will practice Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings with scrimmages Saturdays. The final spring practice, 'Ohana Fest, will be April 26.

McMackin, the 21st head coach in University of Hawai'i history, spent most of his time yesterday with the defensive players on the ewa side of the field. He occasionally walked over to the other side to check out the offensive players.

"It was exciting," McMackin said. "I really was excited to see the players and their attitudes. Their attitudes are great when they came out and they really worked hard."

Cal Lee, last season's linebackers coach, took over as defensive coordinator. McMackin said he will continue to call the defensive plays.

Ron Lee, Cal's brother and the wide receivers coach last season, is the offensive coordinator.

"I'm going to let him call the (offensive) plays, but I want to know what's going on and call a couple of plays," McMackin said. "A couple of deep balls or something."

In all, there are four new coaches, and five who have new titles this season.

"I was also really excited and proud of the coaches," McMackin said. "I hired a bunch of great teachers. There was so much teaching going on. As a head coach, it's good to be able to go around and watch other coaches coach. They're all coaching our package and it was just really exciting to see the great coaches we have."

In early February, McMackin suspended projected starting quarterback Tyler Graunke for breaking team-related rules. It's one of the added responsibilities McMackin has had to take over since becoming head coach.

"I'm in charge of basically everything with the program," McMackin said. "The discipline, academics, the entire aspect of the program. For a player on and off the field I'm in charge of him, which I like.

"That's why I like college football better than pro football. You can have an influence on players and obviously I'm in charge of all three sides of the football. I'm excited about it and I'm ready to take on the challenge."

He previously coached with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, and Denver Gold of the USFL.

While there are a lot of question marks on offense, the defense appears solid.

"I think we have an excellent front seven," McMackin said. "I think that's going to end up being the face of our football team."

Leonard, Solomon Elimimian and Blaze Soares, the starting linebacking corps last season, are back.

"I feel it's one of the strengths of this football team," Leonard said of the linebackers. "We feel we're the heart of the defense, the heart of the team. I feel we can set the tone of games and that's what we're planning on doing. Making big plays and just really dictating how the game should go."

Leonard had to battle knee and thumb injuries last season, but said he's fully recovered for this season.

"I'm feeling better, finally a 100 percent," he said.