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The San Diego State football team officially opened its Chuck Long era with the beginning of spring practice next Tuesday – sort of.

Long has elected to close SDSU’s practices to the general public with the exception of three special practice dates.

“We’re going to be putting in a (whole new offensive system),” Long said. “We want to give ourselves every possible advantage and don’t want to give anything away (to potential scouts).”

The team will have 11 practices and four intrasquad scrimmages over the next month. The spring practice sessions will conclude 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15 with the annual Red and Black game to be held at Torrey Pines High School.

Students will be allowed to attend the team’s practice at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 at the on-campus practice facility located behind Parking Structure 5, as long as they present their SDSU Red ID cards.

“I want to cultivate a good relationship with the students,” Long said. “There will be two opportunities to see our team, and I encourage students to come out on (March 29).”

Aztec faculty and staff can attend practice 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1. Saturday’s scrimmage will also be at the on-campus facility and Red IDs will be checked at the gate.

The Red and Black game will feature free admission and is open to the public.

At his opening press conference, Long stressed that the SDSU special-teams unit would be a strength for the team.

After a 2005 season in which the Aztecs ranked at or near the bottom of the Mountain West Conference in nearly every statistic associated with kick returns, Long made it clear that his strategy will depend on strong special-teams play.

“Everywhere I’ve been we’ve placed an emphasis on special teams,” Long said. “I can assure you that this squad’s special teams will be a well-coached, hard-working group.”