Mike Candrea to Serve as Interim Athletic Director at Arizona

Photo by Jacob Funk/J and L Photography

Legendary Arizona head coach Mike Candrea will serve as the Wildcats interim athletic director following the departure of Dave Heeke who served in that capacity for seven years.

Candrea will begin his role as the interim athletic director on Feb. 2, 2024.

“I look forward to filling this role as the interim athletics director until we find a permanent replacement. I thank Dave and Liz for their contributions to our department and Tucson community. I love this university and athletic department and will be honored to serve.”

Candrea stepped down in 2021 as the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, having led the Wildcats to eight national championships during his 36-year tenure.

“Every Wildcat knows the history of Mike Candrea and what he means to our university and community, and I am grateful for Mike’s willingness to step into the interim role,” University President Robert C. Robbins said. “I am confident Mike and Dave will ensure a smooth transition as we immediately begin a national search for a new Director of Athletics. With our transition to the Big XII, success in our high-profile programs, a passionate fan base, and institutional alignment, I am confident that we will be able to attract a tremendous new leader of our athletics program.”

Candrea departed Arizona as the winningest coach in NCAA history with 1,674 career wins. He took over the Arizona program in 1986 and led the Wildcats to 24 Women’s College World Series appearances, 11 Pac-10/12 championships and eight national championships, more than any other coach.

Under Candrea, Arizona produced 108 All-Americans, including some of the greatest players in the sport’s history including Caitlin Lowe, Jennie Finch, Jenny Dalton, Leah O’Brien Amico, and Nancy Evans.

Candrea was also a leader on the Olympic softball scene, coaching Team USA to a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics and silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

When Candrea first took over the program in 1986, the Wildcats played their home games on a recreation field.

After winning Arizona’s first national championship in 1993, Candrea crafted the concept for Hillenbrand Stadium, which wound up being erected two years later as the first-ever on-campus softball stadium in the country.

The transition to Candrea comes amidst what has been called a financial crisis that has seen Arizona experience major cash-flow issues. Robbins has said some sports could be eliminated as a result and last month in speaking to the Faculty Senate he indicated there would be athletic department employee layoffs and increases in ticket prices.

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