Nick Rolovich understands nothing lasts forever — not the honeymoon bliss of a first football season as University of Hawaii head coach, not the euphoria of a Hawaii Bowl victory, and not his salt-and-pepper facial hair.

Rolovich recently took the clippers to the beard in a not-so-coincidental clean start to this new football year. The Rainbow Warriors open spring training with Monday’s first of 15 practices.

His first spring training as head coach started in late March last year. This year’s earlier opening rides the bowl victory and five-week conditioning program, initiates the mid-year additions, and leads to the start of the school’s spring break.

While the schedule enables the players to focus on academics in the second half of the semester, the tradeoff is there is a longer break between the March 24 end of spring training and the start of training camp in August.

“But that may starve them for football,” Rolovich said. “They may be like some hungry dogs when August comes.”

Rolovich said he will be more involved in the offense, working with the tight ends.

“I kind of missed having a position group,” Rolovich said. “I don’t know if I’ll completely call them my own. I’d like to spend some real time. It’s an incredibly important position for our offense.”

Last year’s defensive coordinator, Kevin Lempa, who recently resigned to accept a non-coaching position at Michigan, implemented a 4-3 base defense. Legi Suiaunoa, who was promoted from defensive-line coach to Lempa’s successor, said he will match the scheme to the personnel. Suiaunoa is experienced in the 4-3, odd-man fronts and flex defenses.

“I don’t want new calls as much as I want it done Legi’s way,” Rolovich said. “I think our sub-packages will have a little bit different flavor. Hopefully, the transition is clean enough where our guys can jump into it.”

Wideouts Devan Stubblefield and Kalakaua Timoteo, safeties Daniel Lewis, Trayvon Henderson and Kalen Hicks, and defensive linemen Max Hendrie and Zeno Choi are among the players who are recovering from injuries and will not be involved in contact drills this spring. They are expected to be ready for training camp.

>> Quarterbacks

Dru Brown, who completed 62.4 percent of his passes and was 6-4 as a starter, is the first established starter to enter spring ball since Bryant Moniz in 2011. Or is he? “He’s got a pretty good headstart on everybody, but if he doesn’t continue to grow, there are some guys with the ability to catch him,” said Rolovich, who praised Brown’s command of the offense, improved decision-making and strong bond with the receivers.

Cole McDonald impressed during practices, and the Warriors seesawed before deciding to honor his redshirt tag. “You take a 6-3 or 6-4 quarterback who’s around 11 flat (in the 100-meter dash), and you think about a guy who can cause problems for a defense,” Rolovich said.

Cole Brownholtz has an unconventional low release, but he has worked on his footwork, which has helped his accuracy. He is one of the quickest on bootlegs. Kyle Gallup, who redshirted after transferring from Marshall last August, has a strong arm and work ethic.

“They’re all incredible workers,” Rolovich said. “It gives me a lot of faith in the future of the position. Whoever we bring in will be joining a working-class position.”

>> Running backs

Diocemy Saint Juste stretched the field in large part to an intensive stretching routine before and during practices and games. He gained 1,031 rushing yards in 12 games, averaging 6.1 yards per touch. Freddie Holley, who redshirted in 2016; Mel Davis, who missed the season because of a non-football medical ailment; and Ryan Tuiasoa will get more work this spring. Genta Ito, a Japan-raised walk-on, has emerged as a popular teammate. “He’s respected by the guys,” Rolovich said. “He’ll score a touchdown for us this year.” Elijah Dale, a prolific back from 2015 national champion City College of San Francisco, joins as a walk-on.

>> Tight ends/H-backs

Kaiwi Chung, a high school lineman, crafted a role as power back who can open holes or chip to the flats as a check-down receiver. Dakota Torres filled that role after Chung suffered a season-ending knee injury. Torres is a ferocious blocker who has displayed pass-catching skills. “Dakota is the kind of guy who brings his lunch pail to work,” Rolovich said. “He grabbed a lot of the intricacies of the position. There are a lot of things people will never see on TV or in the stats, but he helped win some games for us.”

Tui Unga is a multi-skilled tight end who had a breakout performance in the Hawaii Bowl. “I don’t see any reason he can’t have five catches and two touchdowns every game,” said Rolovich, who has challenged Unga to fulfill the void left by last year’s seniors. “He can take this team to another level or he can take this team to where we’re below .500 depending on his decisions outside of football and how he influences people. So far, he’s been a real positive.”

>> Receivers

Keelan Ewaliko and Ammon Barker enter their final UH spring training with ambitions of being go-to wideouts. Ewaliko’s 56-yard TD catch against UMass ensured the Warriors’ berth in the Hawaii Bowl. Both have been streaky, but they have worked on catching with their hands instead of against their bodies. Davine Tullis and Don’Yeh Patterson are back with the offense after brief stints on defense. Marcus Armstrong-Brown, whose UH admittance was delayed until last month because of a glitch, is a combination of size and speed. Isaiah Bernard opted not to transfer, and provides quickness on the perimeter. Kumoku Noa, who redshirted last year, gave the scout defense fits with his sure hands and precise routes.

The best competition — between slotbacks John Ursua and Dylan Collie — might be resolved with Solomon-like wisdom. Both will play, often at the same time. They can play slot and wide, and in double-slot tandem. Nic Tom has recovered from a season-long injury and is another quick-cut inside receiver.

>> Offensive line

Depth will be a concern this spring while interior blockers Eperone Moananu and Elijah Tupai mend and until three tackles join this summer. Fred Ulu-Perry, who redshirted last year after transferring from UCLA, is on leave because of medical and personal issues. He hopes to rejoin this summer. Asotui Eli moves back to center, where he started 20 games his first two UH seasons. John Wa‘a and JR Hensley, who made his first career start in the Hawaii Bowl, are leading candidates at guard this spring. Dejon Allen is set at left tackle, but the other side is open. Kingjames Taylor, who redshirted as a freshman, and Matt Norman, who aligned as blocking tight end a few times last season, will get extensive work at tackle. Rolovich said Taylor is an “athletic 290-pound offensive lineman who doesn’t even know how good he can be sometimes.”

>> Defensive ends

A top recruit — Jamie Tago — returns to Manoa, where he spent four semesters before transferring to a junior college following a non-football situation. “He’s a guy who has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder to finish what he started,” Rolovich said. “It’s good to get him back. He’ll help our pass rush.”

Meffy Koloamatangi, who led UH defensive linemen with five backfield tackles, displayed play-making moments when he was healthy. He also improved as a run defender. “Meffy has a real high ceiling,” Rolovich said.

David Manoa is in the mix. Kaimana Padello excelled in specialized roles, getting a blocked punt and a safety last year. His older brother, Keke Padello, has joined the Warriors this spring.

>> Interior linemen

Nose tackle Kiko Faalologo, who probably is the strongest Warrior, suffered a knee injury on the first day of 2016 training camp and was never quite the same the rest of the year. But he’s regained his health — he won a grab-the-flag competition recently — and should anchor the line. Viane Moala, who is 6-7, was impressive as a true freshman, moving the line of scrimmage and serving as an obstacle on crossing patterns. “Viane looks like he went to bed and woke up 300 pounds the next day,” Rolovich said. “He probably made the biggest jump as a freshman from start to finish in the whole class.”

Samieula Akoteu and Ka‘aumoana Gifford can play both inside positions. Cole Carter and Joey Nuuanu-Kuhiiki have gained weight — and options. They can play all four line spots. Alesano Sunia can contribute on both sides of the line; he is being considered for the offensive line.

>> Linebackers

Jahlani Tavai made a seamless transition from rush end to middle linebacker, where he amassed 129 tackles, including 19.5 for losses, broke up or defended five passes, and forced two fumbles. “You can’t ask for much more on how he attacks,” Rolovich said.

Malachi Mageo, who probably weighs 205 pounds, made a big impact at strongside linebacker, a job that required aligning on the line of scrimmage or in coverage. “He would be a guy I’d love to play with if I got to play again,” Rolovich said.

Ikem Okeke sparked the Warriors’ bowl comeback with a sack-fumble. It was remarkable considering Okeke played with flu-like symptoms that caused him to lose 10 pounds. Solomon Matautia and Jeremiah Pritchard combined for six starts in 2016. Dany Mulanga is a consideration at safety.

>> Cornerbacks

With the departures of Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo, Roe Farris leads a deep group of contenders. Farris started five of the final six games after Mayo suffered an injury, and defended the game-ending incompletion against UMass. Cameron Hayes was a key backup last season, and Zach Wilson received expanded playing time, mostly in nickel defenses. Eugene Ford and Jay Dominique, a Montreal resident who played in Canada’s wider game, are mid-year additions. Rolovich said he expects improvement from 2016 redshirts Tyrus Tuiasosopo and Mykal Tolliver. There is a possibility a corner might move to safety.

>> Safeties

With Trayvon Henderson and Daniel Lewis limited this spring, Keala Santiago, Austin Gerard and Manu Hudson-Rasmussen, a mid-year transfer, will get ample reps. For now, it appears Ben Scruton, perhaps UH’s fastest player, will stay at safety. Austin Borengasser and Scheyenne Sanitoa might move to linebacker.

>> Specialists

Special teams coordinator Mayur Chaudhari proudly displays a screen shot of punter Stan Gaudion’s motion when it appears he can almost kiss his knee. Gaudion can punt effectively with either leg, as well as roll out on a rugby-styled punt or boom away from the pocket. Gaudion also is projected to succeed Ikaika Woolsey as holder. With short-snapper Brodie Nakama’s graduation, Noah Borden will handle all special-teams snaps. Stephen Yaffe left the program, leaving Alex Trifonovitch as the only place-kicker on the roster. A tryout for kickers is scheduled for this week. UH also is expected to add at least one kicker before training camp. Meanwhile, the players insist wideout Keelan Ewaliko probably could handle that job in an emergency.