CORVALLIS - Bruce Read jumped back into the Oregon State football team's special teams like it was 2006.

Read, who spent the last two years in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboy coaching their special teams, rejoined the Beavers for the third time in his career this season as the coordinator.

In terms of style, much of OSU's special teams remained the same from when he left. Personnel has changed, while many of the current specialists were recruited by him.

However, his philosophy remains constant.

"You always want to be sound, first - that's the bottom line," Read said. "We want to be consistent in what you are doing. Cover kicks and protect the kicks properly. Then you get what you can in the return game, and then see if the big plays come. Sometimes they come in groups, sometimes they don't."

Read helped developed All-American Sammie Stroughter as a punt returner in 2006 and Groza award-wining place-kicker Alexis Serna in 2005.

Big plays were common in Read's last run with the Beavers. There were long returns and blocked kicks.

He goes after kickers, and exploits weaknesses in the protection and coverage. Read was behind many of the special teams gimmicks.

"I'd say he's very aggressive on schemes, and I think it's going to be very effective," said cornerback Brandon Hardin, a core special teams player.

Players are impressed with the recent NFL connection with Read. Since he tries to evolve what he does, his latest teaching examples star pro football players in the videos.

Read points out his successes and failures at the highest level, and how they can translate into useful information for the Beavers.

"We watch Dallas Cowboys film and on other NFL teams, and we can see the difference in college and NFL ball," Hardin said. "It's good that we can see how they play differently, and make it work for us."

Special teams coaches typically deal with the younger players on their teams to give them playing time to rest the starters. Read is different in that he tries to use starting defensive backs, receivers and linebackers as much as possible, but within reason.

He'll place starters on one team in key spots. Then he fills around with the best of the rest. That way he can create mismatches against the opponent's younger players.

"We try to put our best players on the field, and that includes starters on offense and defense," Read said. "If they can play a team or two and start that's fine. We have to be careful, especially with defensive guys; they can't play on every special team. You will wear them out in a game and over the course of a long season."

Read expects to utilize more young players than usual this year because of the makeup of the roster. With only 13 seniors on the team, younger players are being used in starting roles.

Some of the players he wants to use are true freshman that coach Mike Riley may decide to redshirt. Read's lineups change daily, but more so right before the season begins.

When looking at everything he has to work with, Read is excited to see what the specialists can do.

Punter Johnny Hekker and kicker Justin Kahut have big legs but need more consistency. Read says both have improved since he rejoined the program.

James Rodgers is the kind of game-breaking punt and kickoff return player Read likes to use. He helped Rodgers add punt returns to his responsibilities this season.

"James has a real desire to do it," Read said. "He could be really fun because he's such a great runner. His attitude enabled him to get to where he is at because he hustles."