Maybe no Division I team experienced a more abrupt fall from grace in 2010 than Texas.

And maybe no team is experiencing as much change as the Longhorns after that 5-7 season.

For nearly a decade, spring drills at Texas were about big picture goals: targeting Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, planning a path to win the Big 12 and advance to the BCS title game.

Not now.

"The theme to start the off-season program is brick by brick, because we have to start over and we're rebuilding a foundation at every level -- offense, defense, special teams, credibility, strength and conditioning, swagger, body language, chemistry, everything," coach Mack Brown said.

All Texas practices will be closed until the April 3 spring game, which created a mini-media controversy in Austin. Brown had routinely opened one or two practice to fans and reporters.

"It sends a message to the players that you have to focus on getting better," Brown said.

So did another Brown statement. As practice began, Brown declared all positions open. No one doubted his seriousness, especially after a quick glance at the massive turnover among his staff.

Five new assistants have been hired since the end of last season, including offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin from Boise State and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz from Mississippi State.

Harsin has wasted no time importing his philosophy from Boise State, including a love of multiple formations and trick plays. The offense slumped precipitously in the final year under Greg Davis, never a fan favorite. Harsin will provide a clean break with the past.

The first major decision for Harsin will be quarterback.

In his first season as a starter, Garrett Gilbert seemed to regress during the season, with 17 interceptions to just 10 touchdowns. Yet, he still has the size, arm strength and bloodlines that made him one of the nation's top quarterback recruits in the Class of 2009. For now, Texas doesn't have a depth chart but a "pecking order" as Brown described it. Gilbert will initially get more snaps with the first team than sophomore Case McCoy, redshirt freshman Connor Wood and freshman David Ash.

Diaz has also put his impression on the defense.

Statistically, the Longhorns were among the nation's best under Will Muschamp, who bolted to become head coach at Florida. But the defense seemed to sag late in the season and had trouble stopping the run.

So far, Diaz has given players great leeway in their assignments.

"There's a lot more freedom, and it's a lot more simplified and it allows us to run and hit which is really what defensive football is," defensive back Blake Gideon said.

Brown said he's been most impressed after the first week of practices by the enthusiasm players have shown with the new staff. It's not just the players who seem to be rejuvenated.

The 59-year-old Brown admits that he's thought often about his first spring practice in 1998, replacing John Mackovic after a 4-7 season.

"I feel as much like that day as I've ever felt because of the new, the fresh, the excitement," Brown said. "The difference is I have 13 years of knowledge of this place with new faces."

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