SPEARFISH - Jay Long has yet to coach his first game for the Black Hills State football team, but he has already scored a couple of key victories.

The former assistant, who took over for John Scott when he decided to resign his position after six seasons, is just about ready to put a bow on the recruiting season and turn his focus to spring practice.

"When I took this job there were two things that needed to be addressed right away," Long said. "We needed to hire another assistant and we needed to get out and recruit. We are very excited about this first class and think that we will get some early contributions for some of them."

Scott's level of success was magnified at BHSU because the program had been mired in a string of losing seasons before he came, but Long said he doesn't feel he has to try to compare himself to his predecessor or try to one up him.

"I am a competitive guy but I just want to continue building on what we have started here," he said. "I don't feel it is me versus coach Scott."

Long's first class is nearly up to 40 players which has allowed the Yellow Jackets to address their most glaring need led by the wide receiver position, which was hit hard by graduation.

"We brought six guys in and they will all have a chance to get on the field early," he said. "When we talk to kids we tell them that we don't know if they will red shirt or not because every kid develops at a different rate."

Long said the support that he has received from the school and the overall success of the athletics at BHSU has made his job a little easier when it comes to recruiting athletes and the process of putting his own stamp on the program.

"We feel we have strong academic programs here, we have a great coaching staff and the support we get from the community all helps us," he said.

While the new recruits may take a while to get used to the system, Long said the returning players have enjoyed a rather seamless transition which he things will benefit BHSU during the spring and fall.

"A lot of the players were relieved that there was not someone new bought in that would change a bunch of things," Long said. "And I have been here for several years so I would like to think I played some part in the success we have had."

BHSU won back-to-back Dakota Athletic Conference titles coming into last season before slipping to 6-4 in 2008.

Long said he doesn't expect much change on the defensive side of the ball with defensive coordinator Pat Fackrell returning to the post which has been a strength for the Yellow Jackets in recent years. However, the addition of John Reiners to the staff as the passing game coordinator will be a big boost according to Long.

"He coached me when I was in school and he brings a winning attitude. He represents many of the same things we strive for in our program," said Long of the former Chadron State College assistant football coach. "We will be installing some new things and that is why spring is going to be so important for us. The kids are also anxious to find out what kind of tempo we will set."

While Long is moving from offensive coordinator to the head coach position, expectations for the program will not change under his watch.

"It is always our goal to do well in the conference and go deep in the playoffs," he said. "We still have a lot of those kids that were part of those two conference winning teams on this team"

Long will get his first good look at his team when spring practice begins April 6 and concludes April 25th with the spring game. Spring practice is comprised of nine practices and the game during the month.