Mike Candrea
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Mike Candrea (born August 29, 1955) is the head softball coach at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He is also the head coach of the USA National Softball team.
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[edit] Collegiate Coaching Record
Candrea coached at the junior college level prior to arriving at UA.
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 1100 NCAA wins, along with nine Pac-10 conference titles. Candrea also has ten Pac-10 coach of the year awards. The Arizona softball team has won eight NCAA Women's College World Series titles, in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, and 2007, 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, 2006, and 2007. In addition, UA has appeared in 12 National Championship title games, including eight consecutive appearances between 1991 and 1998 (NCAA Softball Championship). UA has most recently appeared in the 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2007 National Championship games. Candrea also has 19 NCAA Women's College World Series appearances. Under Candrea at UA, the number of National Championship title game appearances is second only to UCLA.
[edit] National Team Coaching Record
The team won their third consecutive gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games. In addition, Candrea has led the national team to two consecutive World Cup championships, most recently in 2007.
[edit] Personal Life
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.
Candrea recently announced his engagement to Tina Tilton.
