Mike Candrea

Education and career beginnings

Candrea earned an associate degree at Central Arizona College in 1975, a bachelor's degree at Arizona State University in 1978, and a master's degree from Arizona State in 1980.

Candrea was an assistant baseball coach at Central Arizona from 1976 to 1980 and a softball coach from 1981 through 1985.

University of Arizona

Under Candrea, the Arizona softball team has become one of the top programs in the United States and a perennial powerhouse in the NCAA. Candrea has coached at Arizona since 1986, where he has garnered 1500 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 Women's College World Series titles, in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, and 2007, all under Candrea. The team appeared in the NCAA Women's College World Series 16 consecutive years, from 1988 to 2003, and again from 2005 to 2010—22 appearances, all coming in the last 23 seasons. In addition, UA has appeared in 12 WCWS title games, including eight consecutive appearances, from 1991 and 1998. UA has most recently appeared in the 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2010 WCWS games. Under Candrea at UA, the number of WCWS appearances is second only to UCLA.

On March 26 he became the second coach in NCAA division 1 with 1,500 wins the fastest to ever do so. His 8 national title victories is the most for all coaches in Division 1.

Team USA

Team USA won its third consecutive gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games. In addition, Candrea led the national team to two consecutive World Cup championships, most recently in 2007.

Personal life

Candrea was married to Sue Ellen Hudson for 28 years until her death in July 2004, 10 days before the Olympic Games. Candrea has two children from this marriage.

In 2006, Candrea married Tina Tilton.