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Arizona’s new defense faces unprecedented challenges, but tackling remains top priority

Related Topics: Arizona, Paul Rhoads, Kevin Sumlin

Paul Rhoads was hired to be the Arizona Wildcats’ defensive coordinator almost 300 days ago. In that time only seven of those days have ended with him walking off the practice field.

Keep that in mind when Arizona’s revamped defense takes the field for the first time in a few weeks.

“Today was Day 7 for us,” Rhoads said Monday via Zoom following Arizona’s this preseason practice. “Four spring (practices) and three fall.”

Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin gutted his defensive staff after the Wildcats finished the 2019 season last in the Pac-12 in scoring defense and total defense and second-worst against the run and pass.