Coaches Holtz, Vaas finally reunited at USF

They first worked together on Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame in 1990. Peter Vaas was the offensive coordinator, and Holtz's son, Skip, receivers coach for the Fighting Irish.

Over the years, they stayed in close contact as Skip Holtz climbed the coaching ladder and Vaas went off to NFL Europe to become a head coach. Their families vacationed together, but until Holtz hired Vaas to be USF's quarterbacks coach, they had not worked together in 20 years.

It wasn't that Holtz didn't try.

"I followed him," Holtz said. "I tried to hire him two other times, but couldn't turn and get him to go away from where he was.

"I just have great respect for him as a coach and a person."

Vaas, after serving as offensive coordinator at Miami (Ohio) last season, finally reunited with his longtime friend and colleague this spring. During eight years in NFL Europe - two as an assistant and six as a head coach - Vaas figured his career track was likely headed to the NFL.

Instead, he landed back at Notre Dame as Charlie Weis' quarterbacks coach for two seasons, helping mold Brady Quinn into one of the nation's top quarterbacks.

After brief stops at Duke and Miami, Vaas is appreciative of getting a chance to work with Holtz once again.

"We've just been close friends ever since (Notre Dame)," Vaas said. "We talk a lot of football. He's always been there when I needed something. There have been an awful lot of coaches who have had an impact on my career, and his father was one who had as big an impact as anyone. We are very similar in that regard."

In his first spring practice with the Bulls, Vaas is leaning heavily on the optimistic approach he shares with Lou and Skip. With returning starter B.J. Daniels limited in practice due to offseason shoulder surgery, Vaas is working heavily with three walk-ons: Ryan Eppes, Glenn Fagan and Eric Johnson.

The lack of experience behind Daniels hasn't fazed Vaas.

"We've got two kids who are out here for the first time," Vaas said. "It's fun. They are getting a lot of attention. The young guys who have just joined us are eager and they are willing. You can't ask for anything more."

Practice planning

"We are constantly on the move," senior receiver Dontavia Bogan said.

It was planned that way.

"I don't want to keep them out here forever," Holtz said. "We'll normally be out here for about two hours. When we are out there, I expect them to be going, crisp and sharp."

Holtz likes to use the expression "drinking from a fire hose" when talking about how much the Bulls have to learn this spring. However, the morning spring practice opened, he met with his staff to remind them that not everything they want to accomplish before next season will take place this spring.

"We don't have to play tomorrow," Holtz said.

"This is about developing this entire team, and that is going to make us a better program in the fall."

Bull bits

Speaking of Lou Holtz, he attended Wednesday's practice wearing a neck brace following recent back surgery. Skip Holtz said he enjoys having his father at practice occasionally to bounce ideas around with. ... Sixteen former USF players are scheduled to work out at the school's Pro Day on Tuesday, including DE Jason Pierre-Paul, projected to be USF's highest draft pick in history.