Wolf Pack to open practice today

RENO - The Nevada Wolf Pack football family continues to grow.

The Wolf Pack announced Wednesday that two new off-the-field administrative positions have been added to the football program. Jon Haskins has been hired as the Director of Player Personnel and Dave Brown will step into the role of Director of Football Operations.

"These are two critical positions for us to advance our program," head coach Chris Ault said. "These are two positions that we've never had here that all other (Football Bowl Sub-Division) schools had. This is a huge move for our football program."

Brown returns to the Wolf Pack after a season as Portland State's running game coordinator and wide receivers coach. The former Central Missouri State quarterback had spent four seasons (2006-09) with the Wolf Pack in a variety of roles including as a graduate assistant under Ault working with the Pack quarterbacks.

"He knows football," Ault said. "He knows me, he knows how I like to operate the program."

Haskins was the Director of Player Personnel at Stanford from 2007-09. Last year he was the editor of the Web site Cardinal Report, which focuses on Stanford athletics. Haskins, a former Stanford linebacker (1994-97), was drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Chargers in 1998.

He played two regular season games in the NFL, both with the Chargers in 1998. Haskins also has spent three seasons (2002-04) as a graduate assistant at Duke, coaching the offensive line and tight ends. He also has hired in February 2010 as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Division II Pace University but left the program in August.

Ault said Haskins' chief area of concern will be recruiting, "He did the same thing at Stanford and he basically built their recruiting network," Ault said.

Ault said the biggest reason why these positions were added is to alleviate the workload on his coaching staff.

"All of these things we've already done administratively but they were done by me and my staff," Ault said. "We added these two positions so that our coaches can concentrate on coaching."

PRACTICE STARTS TODAY

The Wolf Pack will open its summer training camp on the practice field today.

The Pack will open the regular season Sept. 10 at Oregon and will open at home at Mackay Stadium on Oct. 8 against UNLV.

Ault and some members of the team met the media on Wednesday for the first time this year. The Pack is opening practices a week later than most schools because it doesn't open its season until Sept. 10.

"It's been tough to sit around this last week and read all of the preseason stuff and all that," Ault said. "So we've been anxious and ready to go. This is an exciting time. I'm as excited today as I was in 1976 (his first year as Pack head coach)."

BOUGHTON OUT

Ault said that linebacker DeAndre Boughton broke his leg this summer during conditioning drills and will miss the entire season.

"He will redshirt this year and come back next year," said Ault of the 6-1, 220-pound senior.

The Fresno, Calif., native was counted on to start in place of departed senior Kevin Grimes at outside linebacker.

Boughton's absence leaves just seniors James-Michael Johnson and Brandon Marshall as definite starters in 2011.

"We expect them (Johnson and Marshall) to not only be leaders but to also be dominators," Ault said. "They have to be production players."

Ault said the position vacated by Boughton's injury will likely be filled by an untested young player.

"We have a lot of names (to replace Boughton) and that's all they are at this point," Ault said. "But now our young kids will have to play a role for us."

Wimberly BACK IN SCHOOL

Ault said that junior wide receiver Brandon Wimberly has enrolled in summer school and will be around the team this season.

Wimberly, who caught 41 passes for 482 yards and no touchdowns in 2010, suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen in June and has recovered from his injuries, Ault said. The 2009 Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year will not play this season.

"Will he play again?" Ault said. "That's really not an issue at this time. But he's back in school and he's going to be around the team this year."

Ault wants Wimberly to serve as motivation for his football team.

"I want him to give our football team a reality check," Ault said. "I want him to remind them how lucky they are to be playing college football and to work hard and not take anything for granted. I'm going to use that (as motivation). He'll be at practice and he'll be on the sideline during games. I expect 'Wim' to be as important (as a motivator) as I am."

MARK REGAINING STRENGTH

Ault said senior running back Lampford Mark is recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

"He's got his weight back and we're going to bring him along slowly," Ault said.

Mark missed spring football practices because of a minor knee injury.

"He's not injured now," Ault said. "We just need him to get all of his weight back and we're not going to rush him back because we don't want a relapse of the mono."

Mark had 413 yards and three touchdowns last season.