Coach Candrea is retiring.

[Irish27]

Thank you coach for making this program one of the best in the country.

[azcat49]

Wow, even though we kind of knew it was coming it still is shocking.

End of a great era for sure. Hope that coach enjoys his retirement and fulfills all of his desires in whatever retirement looks like to him

Thanks coach for the great run and the great memories

[Irish27]

I would really hope Candrea will have a say on who replaces him.

[Alieberman]

A masterful career.... enjoy your 2nd act!

[KaibabKat]

Can only say "Thank You" for so many enjoyable moments, and memories, over these past 36 years. Hope that his retirement is filled with as much happiness as he has provided to all the fans.

[EastCoastCat]

Just 1 word to describe Coach after all this time...Class.

Thank you Coach for what you have done for the UofA, our Softball program and for Softball USA in general. Your humility and dedication to building a "family" program and pushing the sport to greater heights will be unmatched.

I hope you enjoy your retirement and spend time with your "other" family but you and Lute are and will always be the standard bearers for our school. That makes us all deeply proud and thankful.

[Irish27]

[Irish27]

Because of this, I definitely could see Lowe being his replacement.

[EastCoastCat]

Because of this, I definitely could see Lowe being his replacement.

Was thinking the exact same thing.

[gronk4heisman]

Anyone other than Lowe would be a complete surprise. Just watching this college WS you could tell that Candrea was giving her a lot of responsibility and at times seemed like a passing of the baton.

[Irish27]

I would have no problem if Lowe is the coach. I have a feeling they know who the replacement is already.

[gronk4heisman]

Is Candrea the best thing to ever come out of ASU?

[ekat]

Is Candrea the best thing to ever come out of ASU?

Undoubtedly. Thank God he smartened up and came here.

[Alieberman]

Is Candrea the best thing to ever come out of ASU?

The VD pharmaceutical industry disagrees

[Irish27]

[84Cat]

[UAEebs86]

LOL. My wife played softball at Sunnyslope, and so did her sister who is ten years older and was the same age as Coach C. She claims she and Mike won some boy-girl free throw shooting competition.
If I ever met him I was going to ask if he remembered that.

[AZCatGirl]

Mike Candrea came here when I was two years old. I literally can’t imagine anyone else as the head coach.

In some ways, replacing him will be even tougher than when Lute retired. Glad he’ll be an advisor and I’m sure whoever replaces him will do a fine job or else he wouldn’t be retiring.

Thanks for everything you’ve done for our university, city, and the game of softball, Coach.

[DrWildcat]

A truly amazing career! Glad he will still be around the program.

[84Cat]

From an e-mail

Arizona Athletics will host a farewell press conference for the Arizona icon on Tuesday, June 8 at McKale Memorial Center. The press conference will be closed to the public but will be aired live on Pac-12 Networks, Pac-12 Arizona, Arizona Wildcats livestream, and livestreamed on Arizona Athletics Facebook.

[MountainCat]

He has been replaced. It’s Lowe in record time.

[TheCat]

I can not imagine another coach that will ever get the outpouring of love from his previous players and what he meant to them. I will miss him. Imagine having a coach that gets you to the elite eight for 24 out of 36 years.

[AZCatGirl]

Should've said, "I didn't want to come across like arrogant jackass like Coack K is now."

[TheCat]

The difference between the GOAT of softball and coach K.

[84Cat]

Mike is a hoot

[pc in NM]

Mike is a hoot

I love the down-to-earth quality of the man and his presentation.

Just for the record, a couple of noteworthy comments that should draw attention here:

He was praising both Robbins and Heeke without reservation;

He was complimentary of many reporters, including Hansen (Even noting his Sunday Notebook, specifically), even though he threw a little gentle shade Hansen's way ("I knew that when Greg showed up, we must be close to the WCWS" & "Greg knew I was retiring before I did");

He was really harsh regarding internet posters who criticize and/or complain about the performance of college athletes - probably his strongest negative statements of all.

He could not have praised Lute more highly, but never even mentioned CSM...

[84Cat]

PC, he mentioned how intense CSM's practices were.

[EastCoastCat]

Yep he did mention both Lute , CSM and even RichRod!

I have to admit I had a few tears listening to him speak passionately about the program, people and UofA.

[pc in NM]

PC, he mentioned how intense CSM's practices were.

Thanks, I stand corrected.

[TheCat]

He is one of a kind that didn't chase the buck and never measured happiness by wealth. Very few of those folks around. When CSM was fired he gave a pretty lengthy statement about his feelings for Sean and how he will miss him. Truly a good man that recognizes his shortcomings and his strengths.

[azgreg]