In his debut season in charge of the Vikings, Glanville is bringing back the run-and-shoot offense and the 3-4 defense.

In fact, much about the Vikings is different this year _ right down to the all-black home uniforms. Just like Glanville's preferred all-black wardrobe.

"We will be the hardest-hitting football team on the West Coast," Glanville said in describing the team's attitude. "Those who don't want to hit people, we'll help them transfer."

Glanville was hired at the start of the year to replace Tim Walsh, who resigned after 14 seasons to become offensive coordinator for Army.

Glanville, former coach of the NFL's Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, was defensive coordinator at Hawai'i for the past two seasons.

He developed the so-called "Gritz Blitz" defense and is known as much for his personality as for his innovative coaching. He's been known to leave tickets at willcall for Elvis.

Glanville brought back former PSU head coach Mouse Davis as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Davis also was an assistant at Hawai'i last season. Together, the duo has put together a totally new playbook for the Vikings, who went 7-4 last season.

"Defensively, we have picked it up probably quicker than anywhere I have been. We are mentally on top of it. I feel good about that. Offensively, we talked about it last night _ after our first three games, we will really know what we are doing. But you have got to go live, you have got to go to game situations, before it all becomes natural."

Portland State returns just nine starters from last year's team, which finished second in the Big Sky and was tapped to finish second again in the conference preseason poll.

One of the issues heading into the season is the team's starting quarterback. Senior Brian White, who transferred from Colorado last season, and sophomore Tygue Howland competed for the job during camp.

Davis proclaimed that he would use both quarterbacks in the season opener Sept. 1 at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La.

The Vikings also have high hopes for receiver Tremayne Kirkland, who had a team-high 38 receptions for 533 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

A key loss for the team was running back Mu'Ammar Ali, who led the Vikings in rushing last season but decided not to return with a year of eligibility left.

Glanville's presence has generated a lot of interest in the Vikings, who play at Portland's PGE Park. Season ticket and suite sales have surpassed 3,500, up 2,500 from last season. The Vikings averaged 7,296 fans last season.