MOSCOW - The Paul Petrino era has begun at the University of Idaho and there is one sure thing - it will be fast paced.

On Friday afternoon, Petrino and his staff put the Vandals through their first of 15 spring practices with a brisk, up-tempo approach that left the first-year head coach happy and excited to be there.

"For the first day, I was very pleased," Petrino said. "Guys were flying around out there; getting better. I was happy about it.

"It's important they understand how we're going to do things; they understand the tempo. It's just a matter of getting used to it, I was really happy. I thought it was a good first day."

The true assessment, of course, will be after the coaching staff has spent time viewing and reviewing the tape from practice.

"It's never as good or as bad when you watch it on tape," he said. "There were times when I was mad at both sides and times when I was happy with both sides."

Prior to taking the field for the first time this spring, Petrino said he had a couple challenges for the team - and they passed.

"What I asked them for was to come out here prepared," he said. "I didn't see a bunch of assignment errors. I wanted a great attitude and a great effort."

Now comes installing the offensive and defensive schemes.

"We have a long way to go," Petrino said. "We have a lot of work to do. That's why you practice. We just have to keep improving."

The Vandals return to practice Tuesday.