New names have surfaced as potential candidates for the open
UCLA baseball coaching position, while the man many thought was the
leading candidate has taken himself out of the race.
Five candidates have been interviewed so far, according to Ken
Weiner, a UCLA associate athletic director and the official who is
overseeing the coaching search. More interviews may be conducted,
but Weiner couldn’t name specific candidates for the job.
UCLA is still shooting for its self-imposed July 1 deadline to
find a new coach, Weiner said June 24.
Arizona coach and UCLA alumnus Andy Lopez was once thought to be
the favorite, but Lopez announced on June 23 after his team was
eliminated in the College World Series, that he would not take the
UCLA job.
“I would be nuts if I left,” Lopez said at a press
conference on Tuesday. “People would ask me, “˜Why did
you work so hard to get this going here and then leave?’ We
like it here. My family and I like it here.”
When asked if Lopez was considered for the UCLA job, Weiner said
“everyone was considered,” and also said that a coach
had to express interest for UCLA to talk to him.
Last week, two other potential candidates surfaced in printed
reports ““ Tim Wallach and Torey Lovullo.
Wallach, who played for 17 years in the major leagues, is a UCLA
alumnus and is currently the hitting coach for the Los Angeles
Dodgers.
“Tim is flattered that UCLA may be interested in
him,” Alan Meersand, Wallach’s agent, told the Los
Angeles Times on behalf of Wallach. “But he is very satisfied
working with the Dodger hitters and enjoys what he is
doing.”
Lovullo, also a UCLA alumnus, is reportedly a candidate for the
UCLA post. He is currently the manager of the Cleveland
Indians’ Class-A affiliate, the Kinston Indians.
Lovullo, who played for seven different major league clubs from
1988 to 1999, could not be reached for comment.
Two other candidates who have reportedly received interviews are
UC Irvine coach John Savage and current UCLA assistant coach Vince
Beringhele.
Savage led the Anteaters to the NCAA Regionals this past season
and was hired by current UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero when
Guerrero was the athletic director at UC Irvine.
Guerrero already made one hire from his previous school when he
hired Petrina Long as an associate athletic director and
women’s administrator. But none of the three head coaches
hired by Guerrero at UCLA came from UC Irvine.
Savage also could not be reached for comment.
Beringhele was an assistant under long-time coach Gary Adams for
16 years. Several players have come out in support of Beringhele in
the past.
He is currently assisting Team USA Baseball, and was not
available for comment.