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Arizona's Rodriguez not shying away from 'terrible year'

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

It was a season to forget for Arizona in 2016, but Rich Rodriguez doesn't see it that way.

The Wildcats head coach isn't sweeping last year's debacle under the rug, despite finishing 3-9 and losing eight of his final nine games.

"Yeah, I think I mentioned in earlier interviews, is a terrible year, I don't think you should bury your head in the sand and kind of pretend it wasn't there," Rodriguez said at Pac-12 Media Days.

"It was there. You've got to evaluate yourself, your staff, your program, and everything that you're doing so you don't go through it again. We've done that. I've had years before, but last year there were a lot of reasons why. I think you've got to address every reason why and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Arizona didn't just lose eight of their last nine, they were rarely close in any of those games. Rodriguez and Co. lost by an average of almost four touchdowns during the losing streak.

Despite that dreadful conclusion, Rodriguez believes he and the coaching staff will be able to turn things around.

"I think our staff has done a good job of that," Rodriguez continued. "Our players have done a phenomenal job of that so far. And there are 50 guys on the roster that are kind of part of that. It's kind of a reboot. It sounds kind of strange to be in your - what is my sixth year, but that's kind of what it was and is, and it's going to be a lot of fun in August sorting it out."

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