BERKELEY - The first official team practice of the Tosh Lupoi era at Cal came on Wednesday on a beautiful and warm sun-dripped morning at California Memorial Stadium. The energy level was high and there was a buzz in the air in Strawberry Canyon.

It would seem most people in Lupoi's position would allow themselves the opportunity to soak in the moment, especially since Lupoi is back where he played and coached for a dozen years on some of the best teams in Cal football history, helping to create some special moments from 2000-11.

But that was far from the mind of Cal's 44-year-old Travers Family Head Football Coach on Wednesday.

"I'm approaching every day as an opportunity to get better, myself included," Lupoi said. "I don't feel like I have any time to look around or waste time. I want to live in the now and just attack the process to a high standard. We wake up and get the opportunity to go do this, and we're extremely fortunate to build this together. It's the everyday approach that's most special to me."

"So what, now what" is something Lupoi often says and also was in line with his approach Wednesday when he oozed with energy and presence throughout the workout - his voice often projecting throughout the venue on a bullhorn.

One of the main tasks at hand for Lupoi on Wednesday was to make sure the Bears practiced with the relentless effort that is one of the pillars of his program.

"I was pleased with the guys' attack today but certainly not satisfied," Lupoi said. "There are a lot of things to build on. I appreciate the guys attempting to do it the right way, play with the right effort and to attack it. We're going to try to build off of that, keep it going, and keep improving one day at a time. That's what our goal is."

The intensity and high level of energy of Wednesday's two-plus hour workout made an impression on fifth-year wide receiver Jordan King.

"I didn't know what practice was like until about four hours ago," King said. "I feel like I haven't really been pushed like that before. That was a new stimulus for me. I really enjoyed it. I was telling a lot of the guys that I feel like this is really going to separate us from other teams."

Cal continues spring practice Friday and will conclude with the Spring Game on April 18 (1 p.m.).