Paul Petrino has years of experience as an assistant coach, many of those years at the highest level as an offensive coordinator at Arkansas, Illinois and Louisville.

But somewhat forgotten among the new beginning which is this year's Idaho Vandal football team is the fact that Saturday's season opener at North Texas will mark Petrino's first game as head coach.

"Since I was a little kid I saw myself as a head coach," Petrino said the other day. "And half the time probably thought of myself as a head coach when I was an assistant coach. ... it's what I've been training to do since I could walk."

Though he may lack the outward exuberance of, say, his predecessor with the Vandals, Petrino has been a hit with boosters statewide, Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said.

"He has a plan, and the discipline that he has brought into the program is tremendous," Spear said. "At the end of fall semester last year, our academic performance was very poor, I think our grade point was barely above a 2.0, and in the spring he immediately got it up to 2.5. In summer school those kids achieved about a 3.0 - that has been tremendous because you can not perform at the University of Idaho if you don't get it done in the classroom. His discipline, his preparation and how he's teaching these football players, our future is very bright."

Spear said another change has been how the players "carry themselves" - around campus, in meetings, with the academic people, etc.

"Coach Petrino says 'put both your feet on the floor, sit up straight and give me your eyes,'" Spear said.

"That's the reason I chose Idaho was because of the coaching," said linebacker Marc Millan, a junior college transfer from Mission Viejo, Calif. "And the attitude that they had coming into the season was we're going to do everything in our power to change this program around and move forward and win games. That's our only goal. Their passion is rubbing off on the assistant coaches, and it's rubbing off on us."

One rule in team meetings - no flip-flops.

"We are taking notes (in meetings), but we're also getting up and learning techniques, actually walking through stuff," said Deon Watson, a redshirt freshman receiver from Coeur d'Alene High. "That's why you don't wear flip-flops in meetings, because you have to be prepared to get up and actually do some movement in there."

Loud actions: First-year Vandal defensive coordinator Ronnie Lee speaks softly, but he wants his players to make a lot of noise on the field.

The three goals of the Idaho defense - stop the run, create turnovers and get off the field on third down.

What is the key to creating more turnovers, Lee was asked.

"Having 11 hats around the ball carrier," he said. "First guy, make the tackle, second guy, finish the tackle, third through 11th guy, get the ball out. Creating turnovers is a craft. I led the Pac-10 in caused fumbles at Washington State in '86 because I made it an art. I knew how the ball carrier was carrying the ball. If he didn't have good ball security, I'd try to punch the ball out. If he did, I'd try to break his fingers. But there's always a way to get the ball out. If you hit a person hard enough, they'll forget about the ball."

In Friday's mock game, Millan could be seen coming off the edge, on the blitz. He said he loves rushing the passer and hitting quarterbacks, and he's looking forward to hitting other quarterbacks starting this week.

"That's my specialty. That's my bread and butter. Rushing the passer is what I was raised to do," said Millan, part of a talented group of JC linebacker recruits.

Spear on future scheduling: After playing this year as independent, the Vandals will join the Sun Belt Conference in football in 2014.

"Assuming we play four nonconference games a year, we'd play one money game, (and) we're probably going to have to play two some years," Spear said. "Ideally, we'd like to see the Sun Belt go to a nine-game schedule, with three nonconference games. That would give us the opportunity to play two money games and have an FCS team at home. Our goal is not to have to play a lot of them (money games), but we're going to continue to evaluate that."

In recent seasons, the Vandals played two or three money games a year, something former coach Robb Akey was not happy with. He thought one money game should be enough. More money games meant more money for the athletic department, but also more wear and tear on his team.

Spear, as in previous interviews, said No. 1 on his wish list was an event center on campus, so the basketball teams could move out of the Kibbie Dome.

He said the Kibbie Dome can still be expanded - both end zone walls can be pushed back, and the field can be lowered, adding up to 10,000 seats.

"But, we have to sell out the place first," Spear said.

And that hasn't happened since Boise State last visited, in 2010.

Feeding the studs: True freshman Richard Montgomery, from Jacksonville, Fla., rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries in Friday's mock game. Petrino said "there's a 99.5 percent chance" he'll play running back and on special teams in games.

Wide receiver Dezmon Epps will also play special teams. In Friday's mock game, he was returning kicks as well.

That's part of Petrino's motto - Feed The Studs. Get them the ball as much as you can, however you can.

"The addition of both Richard Montgomery and Desmond has really helped us," Idaho offensive coordinator Kris Cinkovich said to a gathering of media. "Because the best drive, guys, is a one-play drive. Both are home run guys. "I'd like to think Desmond can do that in the kicking game."

Following in dad's footsteps ... sort of: Watson, son of former Vandal basketball great Deon Watson, considered walking on to the Idaho basketball team when he signed with the Vandals in high school. But it appears now he's totally committed to football.

"I've thought about it, but with this football schedule, it's a little tough," Watson said. "I've dedicated my time to football, and I think that's where it's going to go for the next four years."