Only a dozen offensive lineman yelled, “here,” during the Hawaii football team’s recent roll call.

The line was thinned following the 2017 season. Dejon Allen, John Wa‘a, Matt Norman and Chris Posa completed their UH eligibility. Fred Ulu-Perry accepted a medical retirement.

While waiting for reinforcements — six newcomers join this summer — the offensive line has played well and enthusiastically during the first three practices of spring training.

“I’ve had the most fun, maybe in my whole (38-season) career, the last three days,” said Mark Weber, 60, who was hired to coach the offensive line in January.

Weber replaced Chris Naeole, who resigned as line coach in October. Offensive coordinator Brian Smith and graduate assistant John Estes coached the line the remainder of the 2017 season.

“We were anxious who was going to be here, what we were going to be doing,” guard Emil Graves said of the period before Weber’s hiring. “We trained on our own. We all kept in touch. We all stayed close. That kept everything in line. We’re the closest group. Our five guys have to work together every play.”

Weber said his approach was to develop mutual trust.

“I’ve done it for a long time and been at some really good places, but I feel it’s my job to earn their respect,” Weber said. “I come in and respect them immediately for what they’ve done, for being here, because this is not easy.”

Weber said he did not focus on the spring-practice numbers.

“My philosophy has always been: Who’s next?” Weber said. “So get ready. If somebody goes down, next one up. We’re not going to worry about what we don’t have. The focus is all on who we do have. These young guys, they haven’t played a lot, but they’re good-character young men and they care a lot. That’s the biggest thing. They care a lot. They’re great to work with. When they make a mistake, they feel terrible, but then they fix things. It’s been awesome to watch.”

Weber said he views his role as a teacher.

“I’ll get excited when they do well, I’ll get excited when they do bad,” Weber said. “That is my job. I am a teacher. If the teaching process takes getting on a guy, I will. … I don’t deserve the right to chew them out until I’ve given them the tools for success. I can’t chew out a guy if he doesn’t understand what I’m talking about or I haven’t given him enough reps. The only thing I’ll get really mad about right now is if they’re not going hard. But until I give them enough tools for success, I’ve got to keep teaching.”

This spring, the line is working on cross training and learning the newly re-installed run-and-shoot offense. Asotui Eli, who played guard and center his first three UH seasons, has been practicing at left tackle. Micah Vanterpool has practiced at right tackle with the possibility of also playing on the left side. Joey Nu‘uanu-Kuhi‘iki is making the transition from defensive line. Kamuela Borden is adjusting after spending two years on a church mission.

“I love the new offense,” Vanterpool said. “It’s a lot more simplistic. Just block the man in front of you.”

Vanterpool said spring training, which resumes April 3 following UH’s spring break, has helped the line develop unity. He said there is little concern about the current depth situation.

“All we need is five,” Vanterpool said.