Pete Hahn spent the entire 2001 season playing quarterback for Haskell Indian Nations University’s football team.

Now Hahn appears likely to become the Fightin’ Indians’ starting tailback.

First-year coach Eric Brock made the switch on Monday, the day before two-a-days ended.

“He asked us,” Brock said of Hahn, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound sophomore from Live Oak, Fla. “He said he wanted to do it. He knows we’re thin at that position.”

Haskell’s only other tailback is Joseph Claunch, and when Claunch suffered a slight ankle injury in practice the other day, Hahn saw the need.

“Now we’ll be able to alternate two tailbacks  Hahn and Claunch,” Brock said.

Hahn’s move did not leave a hole at quarterback. Chris Muniz, a transfer from Langston University who had battled knee injuries the last two seasons, is taller than Hahn at 6-3 and a better passer.

“We’re confident,” Brock said, “Muniz can get it done.”

Still, the coach said Hahn could switch back to QB if needed. In the meantime, fifth-year senior cornerback Nick Lewis will become HINU’s emergency quarterback. Lewis played some QB as a freshman and a sophomore.

Overall, Brock, who came to Haskell after spending last season as defensive coordinator at Fort Lewis (Colo.) State, was pleased with two-a-days.

“I think things are coming together,” he said. “Now we want to make sure we put the right athletes in the right spots.”

Most of the uncertainty centers around the offensive and defensive lines.

“The offensive line is pretty wide open,” Brock said. “We have lots of guys there, but all are either sophomores or freshmen. Same for the defensive line. We’re pretty young there, too, and nothing is solidified.”

Two players  Steven White and Eugene Harvey  will play somewhere on the offensive line, Brock said, while sophomore Wilbur Begay is the only defensive lineman who seems assured of a starting role.

Brock will use a 3-3-5 defensive alignment this fall. In other words, he’ll utilize a defensive back in place of a lineman.

“It’s not a widely used defense,” Brock said. “Not that many coaches know about it. But it fits us because it’s harder to find a big guy who can run than a medium-sized guy who can run.”

Haskell will line up with two cornerbacks, two safeties and a rover. Lewis and returnee Brett Blythe will man the corners with Martin Woods and Murphy Black Cloud ticketed for the safety spots. Ivan Billie, a transfer from Mississippi State, will be the rover.

Only one linebacker has a spot assured. That’s Matt Kalfsbeck, who was a starter for the Tribe in 2000 until he suffered a late-season hand injury. Kalfsbeck sat out the entire 2001 season.

Injuries haven’t been a problem during two-a-days, Brock said.

“We’ve had a lot of soreness and cramps,” he noted. “Really, though, we haven’t had anyone hurt. We’re doing well.”

Haskell still has plenty of time to prepare for the season opener. They don’t open until Sept. 7 at McPherson College.

“We’ll put in a couple of new things, but for the next week and a half we’ll work on repetitions and solidification,” Brock said. “Then we’ll begin our game preparation for McPherson.”