After much speculation about his job security the last few
weeks, UCLA baseball head coach Gary Adams put an end to all doubts
about his future by declaring that he will be retiring at the end
of next season, his 30th as UCLA’s head coach.
"Next year will be my 30th, and last, season as UCLA’s head
coach," Adams said in a statement Wednesday night. "We have most of
our key players from this season’s team returning, and I am looking
forward to one great final season. It’s been a great 30 years, but
it’s time for someone else to lead this program."
While baseball flies mostly under the radar at UCLA, Adams is an
icon in college baseball circles. His 950-793-7 record does not do
justice to his success in developing 37 major leaguers most among
active coaches and second most all time, and maintaining avid
alumni support, along with remaining popular with his players.
"Yes, it’s frustrating when the wins and losses don’t come out
the way you want," junior outfielder Matt Sharp said. "But the
thing about G.A. is that the man never quits. In practice, he
drills you and makes you better, like you’re 60-0. You will never
see that man back down when he’s losing. Never, ever."
Rumors had been swirling that after the Bruins’ third
straight year of not making the playoffs, athletic director Dan
Guerrero would fire Adams, especially since Guerrero has already
pulled the trigger on two other high-profile firings this year,
football’s Bob Toledo and basketball’s Steve Lavin.
Adams’s situation, though, is much different than the
aforementioned dismissed coaches. His legacy is indelible. UCLA
alumni and boosters have supported Adams, and players past and
present are anything but apathetic to him leaving.
"G.A. is an honest and caring individual, and it would have been
a great loss if he were not going to be around next year," junior
pitcher Chris Cordeiro said. "He has a great following, and the
alumni always come back. We have great alumni scholarship
endowments, and it’s always been a family here. Because he’s been
here so long, everyone comes back and is so supportive."
However, the bottom line remains at a school as distinguished in
athletics as UCLA. Adams’ lone trip to the College World
Series was in 1997 with a team led by current major league star,
World Series MVP Troy Glaus. While seemingly every year national
titles roll into Westwood, baseball has been conspicuously absent
from the honor roll.
That is, except for the academic honor roll. What excellence
Adams has not coaxed from his players on the field may be made up
by what he has been able to accomplish off it. Most everyone who
enters the baseball program departs with a degree, even many of
those major league draftees who leave after their junior year.
"What he does with former players is that he will ride you until
you get your degree," Cordeiro said. "He will not stop calling you
until you graduate. Even though 5-6 guys leave early every year
they come back and finish. That means a lot. Other coaches don’t
care. Even after he retires, he’ll be around and still be on
everyone’s case about graduating."
Equally important especially in light of some recent
embarrassing moments to the athletic program, Adams’ players
never make the headlines for shameful behavior.
"That’s about the kind of players he recruits," Cordeiro said.
"He doesn’t go out and recruit guys that will make the school look
bad."
All of this may have added up to a swan song year for Adams.
While Toledo and Lavin were given no leeway, what Adams has
contributed to UCLA sports may have been enough to soften Guerrero
to allowing Adams to have one more year.
Adams’ last team looks to be strong, as a few good
recruiting classes culminate next year with strong senior and
junior leadership that was in the postseason hunt until the last
weekend of the season and finished 28-31.
No doubt, Adams’ last year will be an emotional one for
him and his players.
"Coaching at UCLA has been a dream come true for me," Adams
said. "I’ve had a tremendous time working with the quality
student-athletes in our program. Watching them develop during their
time at UCLA and then watching their successes in all fields after
college has made me proud to be their coach."
With reports from Jeff Agase, Bruin Sports Staff.