Defensive coordinator Mike Dietzel said he’s not at all worried about the upcoming season after his promotion to defensive coordinator – after all, it’s not the first time he has had the position.

Dietzel returns to defensive coordinating in 2009, a post he held in 2004 and 2005. Since then, he has been a special teams coordinator, as well as coaching linebackers and defensive backs.

“Coaching those positions has helped my overall knowledge of the entire structure of the (defense), and that was a big asset for me going in this year,” Dietzel said.

The players won’t notice much of a change in Dietzel’s defense, as they will still run their plays in the 3-4 formation.

“All we have done is made some terminology changes, so we have the opportunity to make checks or things like that based on formations,” Dietzel said.

Coach David Elson says that learning new terminology is always tougher than it appears.

“Changing terminology is always tough – it takes some time to get used to it and make it second nature, but overall it’s been a good transition,” Elson said.

Sophomore safety Mark Santoro said he thinks that everyone on defense is learning the defense quite well.

Dietzel said he didn’t want to change much of the defense. Western has kept the same defensive package since Elson arrived in 2002.

“(The players) are adjusting well,” Elson said. “The guys see we have a really good plan, and they are taking to it.”

Dietzel said the biggest thing he will have to worry about this year is a young defense. The Hilltoppers’ defensive line has all departed, and it’s starting safeties are sophomores.

“We’ve got plenty of talent but just not the experience – but that is what spring practice is for,” he said.

Santoro seems to be confident in Dietzel’s coaching to guide the young defense.

“We all love coach (Dietzel), and we know he is going to make the right calls because he has been here a while and knows what he is doing,” Santoro said.

Western is more than halfway done with spring practices.

“We’re about where I thought we would be at this point,” Elson said. “We’re obviously going to take advantage of every practice we’re allowed this spring to keep getting these guys a lot of reps.”

Western will practice again on Wednesday and Friday before taking part in their second scrimmage on Saturday.