It sounded harsh coming out of the head coach’s mouth, but the facts — alternative or otherwise — are irrefutable.

As Rich Rodriguez observed the other day, the Arizona Wildcats’ defense was “bad” last season. The UA ranked ninth or lower in the Pac-12 in every conceivable category that determines defensive proficiency.

The man in charge of fixing it, Marcel Yates, knows there’s nothing he can do about 2016. He used to be a defensive back, remember; they’re trained to have short memories.

So Yates looks ahead with optimism. He shares Rodriguez’s view that the defense wasn’t up to par — and that it has the potential to improve significantly.

For starters, Yates is more familiar with Arizona, and the Wildcats with him, in his second year on the job. Although the UA will be relying on newcomers, especially in its defensive front, the learning curve on both sides should be easier to negotiate in Year 2.

“Last spring, I didn’t know anything about this place,” said Yates, who arrived last January from Boise State. “So I was learning. Now I know where the weight room is, I know what Coach wants, I know what Coach expects. I’m kind of in a groove now to where we’re taking this thing to another level.”