Mike Candrea

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Mike Candrea is the markedly successful head softball coach at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Under Candrea, the Arizona softball team has become one of the top programs in the U.S. and a perennial powerhouse in the NCAA. Candrea has coached at Arizona since 1986, where he has garnered over 1000 NCAA wins, along with nine Pac-10 conference titles. Candrea coached at the junior college level prior to arriving at UA.

The Arizona softball team has won seven NCAA Women's College World Series titles, in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2006 all under Coach Candrea (NCAA Softball Championship). The team appeared in the NCAA Women's College World Series 16 consecutive years, from 1988 to 2003 and again in 2005 and 2006. In addition, UA has appeared in 11 National Championship title games, including eight consecutive appearances between 1991 and 1998 (NCAA Softball Championship). UA has most recently appeared in the 2001, 2002 and 2006 National Championship games. Under Candrea at UA, the number of National Championship title game appearances is second only to UCLA.

Mike Candrea was married to Sue Ellen Hudson for 28 years until her death in July of 2004. Candrea has two children from this marriage: a son Mikel, 26, and a daughter Michelle, 23. The death of Sue did not in any way persuade Candrea from completing his duties as head coach of the 2004 US Olympic Softball Team. The team won their third consecutive gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games.

Candrea recently announced his engagement to Tina Tilton.