[BearDownAZ]

I think its time for a change. We all love Coach C but it just seems like the writing is on the wall when you have a senior class that is leaving without a berth to the World Series which used to be a basic guarantee on a yearly basis. I doubt it will ever be on a yearly basis again and it probably won't be for any softball program out there given the diversity of talent that now exists in college softball; but when you come to Arizona, you should feel pretty damn good about going at least once during your four years of eligibility.

[BearDownAZ]

I should add this: its obviously gotta be a decision that Coach C makes on his own. In no way would I ever hope or wish that Coach C was told to step down and I would never expect that to happen. He has to make the decision on his own as only a legend should. . .

[AzCatFan]

We should at least give Candrea one more year. The majority of the ladies that made it to the Supers this year will be back to go along with an excellent recruiting class. If they improve a little, not only will we be hosting next year, we should make it back to the WCWS. If we struggle again next year and don't make it back to OKC....then it may be time to ask your question.

[b_dog]

...would have a fairly strong response to this. When you've got somebody who's won 8 national championships, 22 WCWS appearances, 29 NCAA appearances, and 10 conference championships, there is zero conversation about how your coach maybe should consider stepping down because he's "only" made it to Super Regionals recently. No coach in school history in any sport can touch that record. He'll probably retire sometime in the next 5 to 10 years, and he'll be widely honored at that time and missed soon afterward. The game changed as soon as the SEC started pumping their left-over football money into softball. It's interesting to look at some of the rosters and see pitchers and other key players who come from so far away to play for them.

[BearDownAZ]

...would have a fairly strong response to this. When you've got somebody who's won 8 national championships, 22 WCWS appearances, 29 NCAA appearances, and 10 conference championships, there is zero conversation about how your coach maybe should consider stepping down because he's "only" made it to Super Regionals recently. No coach in school history in any sport can touch that record. He'll probably retire sometime in the next 5 to 10 years, and he'll be widely honored at that time and missed soon afterward. The game changed as soon as the SEC started pumping their left-over football money into softball. It's interesting to look at some of the rosters and see pitchers and other key players who come from so far away to play for them.

There is no question regarding the legacy bdog and I already mentioned how it will have to be Candrea who will have to make that decision on his own. I just think now is the time to get someone new in who can carry the tradition (and in some ways, create their own) much like SM is doing for Lute. There really isn't anything left for Coach C to do at this point besides doing his best to make sure the tradition of excellence in college softball continues at UofA.

[Irish27]

Next year's team will be one of the favorites to win it all. They will be loaded, losing only Young and Candrea brings in a great recruiting class, including power hitter Alyssa Palomino, who had to redshirt due to an injury. Candrea has earned the right to say when he steps down. The entire country has caught up to the UofA but they still make it to the Super Regionals almost every year. Look at ASu, they lost Myers and since then, have crapped the toilet.

[Wildcat Jones]

Next year's team will be one of the favorites to win it all. They will be loaded, losing only Young and Candrea brings in a great recruiting class, including power hitter Alyssa Palomino, who had to redshirt due to an injury. Candrea has earned the right to say when he steps down. The entire country has caught up to the UofA but they still make it to the Super Regionals almost every year. Look at ASu, they lost Myers and since then, have crapped the toilet.

100% agree on Candrea has more than earned the right to say when he steps down barring a complete and total collapse of program, that hasn't happened.

That said, I'd say many programs have not just caught up, but surpassed UA in the past 5-6 years. Since we last made a WCWS in 2010, here's a list of programs who have surpassed UA by how many titles/wcws since 2011:

Florida: 2 titles and 4 wcws
Alabama: 1 title and 5 wcws
Oklahoma: 1 title and 5 wcws
ASu: 1 title and 2 wcws (they have dropped with Meyer leaving, but see what Meyer has done at Auburn)
Oregon: 3 wcws
LSU: 3 wcws
Michigan: 3 wcws
Auburn: 2 wcws (so Meyer has coached his teams to 1 title and 4 wcws in last 6 seasons)
Cal: 2 wcws
FSU: 2 wcws
UCLA: 2 wcws
Tennessee: 2 wcws
Baylor: 2 wcws

9 more schools have 1 wcws since 2011.

I do think that Candrea has a great chance at at least getting UA back to the WCWS next year, and maybe winning a 9th title. BEAR DOWN ARIZONA

[rickyk]

I thought we had pretty much identified his successor; Staci Iveson. Wasn't that the plan when she came back?

[Irish27]

Like I said last June, this upcoming team is loaded and will be one of the favorites to win it all. They have pitching, power and speed. It could be a very special season. I really believe this team has the best overall talent since the 2001 club. Preseason poll has the UofA #5.
http://allsportstucson.com/2017/01/24/a ... ason-poll/