NCAA rules prohibit WVU strength and conditioning coach Mike Joseph to publicly discuss individual athletes. He can't list the seven recent newcomers to school and voluntary workouts, although football information director Mike Montoro could: Dante Campbell, Dustin Garrison, Russell Haughton-James, Marquis Lucas, Matthew Moro, Stephen Paskorz and Devon Brown. (The rest of the signees from last February are expected in this coming week.)

Joseph can't even tell new head coach Dana Holgorsen if a player misses a workout. They are, after all, voluntary. And that's technically a problem since Holgorsen and his assistants may not observe workouts.

A bit goofy? Yes.

"I think it's a bad thing when you look at the safety of athletes," Joseph said. "If we're really concerned about the safety of athletes, we should make sure they're in shape and physically prepared for August."

Joseph, though, can speak in general terms. And, generally, he's pleased with how the Mountaineers are performing this summer.

"Overall, we've had a very good start,'' Joseph said. "I think this summer has definitely been the hardest since I've been here.

"Every year, I try to be more challenging. [The players] are in my system now. For the seniors, this will be their fourth year. They are at the point where they know what I expect, the technique, the style of lifting, the tempo of lifting, the tempo of running ...

"They know my standards. And I know their strengths and weaknesses."

Joseph said "the percentage [of scholarship players working out in Morgantown] has been very good as a team."

Close followers of the team also know freshman signees Vernard and Vance Roberts, Avery Williams, Paul Millard and Brian Athey have been around since January.

How are they doing?

Joseph smiled.

"I can tell you, as a group, I think we're doing good," he said. "As a defense, we're doing well. We have good leaders. I just can't talk about individuals."

OK, there's one individual he may talk about: Holgorsen. He was asked if there have been any specific instructions from the new boss.

"My job, no matter who the coach is, is to make our team strong, fast and explosive," Joseph said. "No, [Holgorsen] looks at it more from an evaluation aspect. During winter, he saw where these guys were at. But you don't get a true picture until they step on the field."

Joseph said Holgorsen was pleased with the team's condition during spring drills. One might wonder, however, how much on-field coaches really know about strength and conditioning, the techniques and programs employed, etc.

"I think most football coaches have to have an understanding of what we do," Joseph said. "Look at how much influence strength and conditioning coaches have on your team from January to August. It's more than anyone else. And you have to be an extension of your head football coach.

"Coach Holgorsen definitely has a great understanding of what we do in the weight room. He has that because he's come from very good programs with good strength and conditioning programs."

Joseph said he's "trying to develop more of a bonded team - so there's no offense or defense; so we're together."

It's an interesting comment because many are watching to see if the offensive and defensive coaching staffs peacefully coexist. Joseph also said he's trying to "develop leadership" within the team.

Those are points to watch in the coming season. But back to the coaches - and how they know if Joseph is doing his job. Sure, one can see if players are winded in fourth quarters. But there's more.

"From the outside looking in, [coaches are] going to evaluate how their players perform," Joseph said. "At the end of the day, if we're strong, fast and an injury-free team, more than likely the weight room is doing its job.

"Injuries over the last three years have decreased each year. I think that also has to do with the relationship with [athletic trainer] Dave Kerns, knowing when to push a player, knowing when they're ready to come back and knowing what issues they have."

Joseph, a Fairmont product entering his fourth year at WVU since moving over from Notre Dame, is pleased.

"This year, guys' numbers are already doubling from where they were because I'm able to push them harder," he said. "The kids trust our staff and allow us to push them - and get great results."

That's what he can see. And that's what he can say.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle.