It would appear that the running back coach in a single-back offense would be as busy as the conductor of a one-man band.

But these days, Hawai'i assistant football coach Alex Gerke is working overtime. Four of the initial six running backs are injured, forcing Gerke to teach orientation or refresher courses to Kealoha Pilares (back from slotback), Corey Paredes (linebacker), Khevin Peoples (safety) and Bryce Kalau'oka'a'ea (quarterback).

Head coach Greg McMackin has praised Gerke's no-nonsense approach, and the Warriors' running game was one of the few bright spots in a 56-10 loss to Florida.

"He's a tough coach, but that's why I like him," said Daniel Libre, who is recovering from a sprained right ankle. "He really pushes us. We're in really good shape because of him."

During position drills, Gerke demands a brisk pace. He also does not allow players to stand in the shade.

"The game is basically by fundamentals," Gerke said. "You play the game 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical, and everything else falls into place. The mind controls the body. The body doesn't control the mind. If you want guys to be tough, that's how you have to work it. You've got to put the pedal to the metal every day on top of them."

Most remarkable is that in his 23-year career, this is the first time Gerke is coaching running backs. He was an offensive lineman at the University of Utah.

"I've been a line guy forever," he said.

Of his approach, he said, "it's just fundamentals. I've never played running back, but if you've coached offensive linemen, you understand what those guys have to do to be a good running back."

Gerke allows open discussions during video sessions.

"In meetings, we do that a lot," Libre said.

No. 1 running back Leon Wright-Jackson said: "He gets me to play harder. He gets that little oomph that you have deep down to come out."

Gerke has helped Wright-Jackson, who is 6 feet 1, run with a lower stride. He also has lobbied for more playing time for unheralded Jayson Rego.

Against Florida, Rego made two big blocks, including a true pancake play — he flipped over a pass-rusher.

"He's a tough nut," Gerke said of Rego. "I've said that from day one. I love that kid. I absolutely love him because he'll give you everything he's got."

It will be a reunion of sorts this weekend. Gerke was Weber State's assistant head coach in 2006 and 2007.

"I love (head coach) Ron McBride, and I love those players there like they were my own blood, just like the guys here," Gerke said. "No matter where you coach, it's how you feel."

But he said he has no regrets leaving to join the Warriors.

"Nope," he said. This is "a place I felt is one of the top places in the country to coach, if not the best, kind of a Shangri-La thing."

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