AMES - Much of last year's coaching staff has defected to football-crazed Auburn. The new head coach rides motorcycles and takes flying lessons. The new coordinators love a go-for-broke philosophy.

Iowa State football officially stepped into a brave new world Wednesday, as it met with the media on the eve of 2009's first preseason practice.

"We are anxious and excited," said first-year head coach Paul Rhoads, an Ankeny native. "Our pads go on Saturday … and if you're near the (practice) field, you better be able to hear how physical it is."

The preseason publications haven't lavished the Cyclones with much praise. That, of course, has much to do with the fact the Cardinal and Gold were bruised and battered much of last season, leading to a 10-game losing streak.

Rhoads has taken the helm of a program saddled with a 3-21 record in Big 12 play since 2005.

Still, the 42-year-old first-time head coach promises Iowa State fans will see progress - at least in some form - this Fall.

"We're here to give them what they want, and that's a winner," Rhoads noted.

Rhoads said improved tackling might be his club's biggest immediate concern.

The Cyclones' defense doesn't return much in the way of star power, and struggled mightily last season, yielding nearly 42 points per game in Big 12 action. New coordinator Wally Burnham, whose South Florida defense ranked No. 10 nationally in 2008, feels a blitz-happy scheme could aid this club.

"If you're gonna win football games," said Rhoads, "(foes) can't score points fast. They have to earn it."

Iowa State's offense, by all accounts, should be intrigueing.

Not only has new offensive coordinator Tom Herman implemented an up-tempo, no-huddle attack, but the Cyclones return a few legitimate play-makers.

"We're going to use every square inch of the field to our advantage," said Herman, a former Rice coordinator, of his spread offense.

Junior Austen Arnaud will serve as ISU's triggerman, though red-shirt freshman Jerome Tiller may have earned some snaps after flashing impressive athleticism in the spring. Arnaud, an Ames native, was unsteady at times last season, finishing with 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He ended the season on a high note, however, passing for a school-record 440 yards at Kansas State.

"I love it," Arnaud said, after noting that he has been elected as a team captain. "That's why you play quarterback; it's the most glorified position."

Arnaud should have plenty of passing options, like sophomore wideout Darius Darks, who had 49 receptions last season. And, Arnaud will be protected by an offensive line that brings back seven players who started at least once last fall.

All told, Iowa State sports 18 returning starters, its most since 1999.

Overall, the Cyclones seemed excited about entering the unknown at the start of preseason camp.

New playbooks? Unfamiliar blitz-packages? This is the world they'll live in, for the next four weeks.

"I'm ready, man. I've BEEN ready," said defensive end Christopher Lyle, smiling.

Iowa State's main energy source, of course, is its new head coach.

"It will be hard to temper my enthusiasm," Rhoads noted. "This game has to be played with emotion, it has to be played with enthusiasm - and I think it has to be coached that way, as well."

TWO-MINUTE DRILL - The list of Northeast Iowans on the Cyclones' roster has risen to five: Senior linebacker Kyle Benning (whose jersey is No. 41), of Waverly; junior defensive end Taylor Mansfield (No. 26, of Decorah); junior defensive lineman Kyle Slifka (66, Cresco); freshman defensive back Jay Brummel (35, Cedar Falls) and freshman offensive lineman Mike Bangston (52, Cedar Falls). … Rhoads announced Wednesday that four members of his first recruiting class did not end up at Iowa State, for reasons ranging from academics, family issues and one player's desire to play baseball (Princeton Jackson). Along with Jackson, Josh Bellamy, Taylor Barton and Brandon Mims will not end up in Ames. … Iowa State officials claim they'll save nearly $100,000 by opting not to print media guides this season.