“Everybody really likes him and has a lot of respect for him, especially because of his record,” junior strong safety Jake Letourneau said after KU’s first spring practice Thursday at Anschutz Pavilion. “We all want to win. We know he knows how to get us there as far as defense. We’re just doing everything we can.

“He’s won how ever many bowls and he’s been to so many bowls. He’s seen a lot of great players and he’s always been affiliated with great teams so he knows what it takes.”

Hayes, who also coaches the secondary, was hired in February to replace Ardell Wiegandt. Although he’s in his first season as KU’s defensive coordinator, Hayes has held the same post with Oklahoma (from 1991-94) and UCLA (1982-88). The teams he’s coached for were a combined 10-3 in bowl games.

Prior to joining the Jayhawks, Hayes spent four seasons as the secondary coach with the Washington Redskins from 1995-99.

“Coach Hayes, he’s a real nice coach,” senior cornerback Andrew Davison said. “He’s not one of those types of coaches that’ll get up in your face. He’s like one of those NFL-type coaches. He’ll tell you something and expect you’ll get it done. That’s how it’s supposed to be. I just like his whole style.

“I like his coaching style. I like him on and off the field. He’s just an excellent coach to be around.”

Davison is one of KU’s seven returning starters on defense and will be called upon to anchor the secondary. The only other returning starter among the defensive backs is senior cornerback Quincy Roe.

The other returning defensive starters from last year’s 4-7 squad all seniors are left tackle Nate Dwyer, right tackle Ervin Holloman, right end De’Nard Whitfield, strong-side linebacker Algie Atkinson and middle linebacker Marcus Rogers. Holloman and Whitfield have been suspended indefinitely for academic reasons.

Hayes, however, is starting with a clean slate.

“I studied some film of last year, but really I’m kind of just looking forward and not looking back,” Hayes said. “I’m trying to be objective and evaluating people based on what I’ve seen on a daily basis both on the field and off the field and I’ll continue to do so.”

During Thursday’s 2-hour, 5-minute unpadded practice, Hayes was constantly coaching his young defensive backs during position, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

But he isn’t worried so much about what he saw Thursday as he is about what he hopes to see during the annual spring game on April 21, which closes the 15-practice spring season.

“In spring football, Day One isn’t an important day. Day 15 is an important day,” Hayes said. “How much progress we make on a daily, hourly, how-ever-you-want-to-look-at-it basis, that’s what I’m looking forward to, just seeing how much we can improve.”

First impressions

Although KU football coach Terry Allen missed the first 30 minutes of practice to attend the funeral of red-shirt freshman lineman Aaron Hunt’s father in Emporia, he was pleased with the first practice.

“I thought we ran around very well,” Allen said. “Now, what does that mean? Nothing. But our tempo was good. You’re going to have utter chaos when you have as many new people, coaches, players, schemes and plays. But I thought the effort was good.”

Up coming

Today the Jayhawks will move to Memorial Stadium for another padless practice. KU will work out from 4-6 p.m. in conjunction with its coaches’ clinic, which begins at 5 p.m. The team will wear pads for the first time during Saturday afternoon’s practice at Anschutz.