Manhattan ? Kansas State’s defense will have several new players and coaches next season, but coach Bill Snyder has a positive outlook after only 10 days of spring practice.

“We are playing extremely fast now, which is always a welcomed sight,” Snyder said of his team’s defense.

Three new coaches and five new starters have been added to the defensive unit, which was the strength behind last season’s 6-6 team.

Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, who left Kansas State for a head coaching position at Southern Methodist, was replaced by former Iowa State defensive coordinator Bill Elliot. Linebackers coach Jim Gush and defensive end coach Bob Fello were replaced by Bret Bielema and Del Miller respectively. Bielema also came from Iowa State and Miller was a graduate assistant for the Wildcats last season.

The new coaches have stayed within the framework of Snyder’s past defensive units, but have added new schemes. Snyder said the new coaches have adjusted well.

“I have great respect for what they’ve done,” Snyder said. “They’ve brought our defense along from where it was when we started this spring.”

Bielema, the linebackers coach, said the transition has been made easier with the player’s acceptance of the new coaches.

“It’s been a very positive experience,” he said. “Sure there’s an adjustment phase. But these kids come in with an attitude of wanting to win and be the best. That’s not going to chance.”

The Wildcats return all four starters on the defensive line, including All-Big 12 honorable mention defensive lineman Tank Reese. But they have to replace all but one defensive back, senior Terence Newman, who started in all 12 games in 2001.

At linebacker, Kansas State will have to replace third-team All-American Ben Leber. But Bielema said that will be easier with junior middle linebacker Terry Pierce returning. Pierce finished third in tackles with 68.