As the sun sets on the final 14 games of Gary Adams’
coaching career, another story arises ““ who will lead the
UCLA baseball team next year?
Well, one potential candidate, Arizona coach Andy Lopez, returns
to Westwood today. Lopez, whose Wildcats take on the Bruins in a
non-league series this weekend, could be an intriguing
possibility.
In September he agreed to a contract extension through 2008, but
could always walk away from it for a dream job, Ã la
basketball coach Ben Howland.
“I just talked to Andy for half an hour this
morning,” Adams said about his former shortstop on Tuesday.
“He’s doing a great job at Arizona and seems like he
wants to be there. I’ve never pried into it with Andy this
year, but we’ve talked about it in the past. He’s
certainly been an outstanding coach.”
The job officially opened on May 1, and associate athletic
director Ken Weiner, who is heading up the search, said that he has
already received applications. Some of the best candidates ““
including Lopez ““ may not be available for some time.
“Some coaches that may have an interest in this may not
throw their hats in until their seasons are over,” Weiner
said. “That might not be until the second week of
June.”
Lopez declined to comment on the possibility of coaching his
alma mater, but if he did express interest in the job, he would
likely be the most accomplished candidate.
Lopez has thrived everywhere he has been hired, turning around
programs that had achieved little success before he joined the team
““ from Cal State-Dominguez Hills, to Pepperdine, to Florida,
to Arizona. He picked up National Coach of the Year twice, led his
team to the College World Series three times, and won a shocking
national title with Pepperdine in 1992.
With Arizona, not a traditional baseball power, both of his
recruiting classes have been in the top 10, with last year’s
ranked fourth.
“I don’t have a 5-year plan. I have a
get-better-right-now plan,” Lopez said.
While Lopez would not specifically comment on the UCLA position,
he did speak glowingly of Adams’ top choice and the
Bruins’ top in-house contender, hitting coach Vince
Beringhele.
“The continuity is a big factor,” Lopez said.
“I like Vince. Obviously he knows the program inside and
out.”
Adams has advocated hiring Beringhele since his announcing his
retirement after last season.
“I’ve said all along the No. 1 guy for the job is
Vince Beringhele and that’s who they should choose,”
Adams said. “To me, they should have chosen him a long time
ago. That’s my opinion, but I’m not the athletic
director.”
Adams will remain on as a consultant for next year, but probably
will have little say in who actually takes over next year.
“We may ask (Adams) for input, but I want him to
concentrate on finishing the season,” Weiner said.
Besides Lopez and Beringhele, UC Irvine coach John Savage has
been mentioned as a possibility, mainly based on the fact that UCLA
athletic director Dan Guerrero hired him at UCI.
The next several weeks will undoubtedly see even more names
thrown around the rumor mill. Because of the high-profile nature of
the UCLA job, the Athletic Department should have plenty of
qualified contenders.
“We’re going to find the best coach out
there,” Weiner said. “If they don’t find us
we’re going to go out there and find them. That’s what
we’ve committed to the athletes and to the
program.”