Adams Is Seeking a Parting Present

Consecutive losing seasons and a preseason forecast that calls for yet another second-division finish in the Pacific 10 Conference have not diminished the intrigue surrounding UCLA’s baseball program.

As the college season gets underway, what’s known is that Gary Adams will retire at the end of this, his 30th campaign as coach of the Bruins. What’s not known is who might be coming in -- but there is plenty of conjecture.

Amid the rampant speculation, at least one conference rival made a move to shield itself from the fray.

Arizona gave Andy Lopez a lucrative three-year contract extension -- through the 2008 season -- hoping that might dispel rumors that the former Bruin shortstop and team captain would bolt for his alma mater.

Lopez and UC Irvine’s John Savage, the other coach most often mentioned as a candidate for the UCLA post, have ties to Dan Guerrero, UCLA’s athletic director.

Lopez, 50, and Guerrero are childhood friends who played baseball at UCLA in the 1970s. They worked together at Cal State Dominguez Hills -- Lopez as coach, Guerrero as athletic director.

Savage, a former USC pitching coach, was hired for his current position when Guerrero was athletic director at Irvine.

Lopez has directed winning programs at three Division I schools. His 1992 Pepperdine team was national champion, his Florida teams made the playoffs five times in his seven seasons, and Arizona won 35 games last year in his second season -- with the youngest roster in the Pac-10.

Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood said Lopez’s contract included a provision prohibiting the coach from guiding another Pac-10 program for five years if he left the Wildcats.

Still, Livengood added, “I’m sure there will continue to be speculation about Andy until a coach is hired there.”

Indeed, a source with knowledge of the situation disputes that Lopez’s new contract ties him to Arizona. That source says the contract includes a provision that specifically allows Lopez to leave for the UCLA job.

Lopez would not comment on his contract but said he was very “happy” and “content” in Tucson, where his popularity soared after he took the Wildcats to an NCAA regional last season.

Savage, who is starting his third season at Irvine, also has a recently extended contract.

“Bottom line is, I’m the head coach at UC Irvine and we are totally committed to this program,” he said. “We still have many goals we want to accomplish and we’re fully committed to these players.”

Rich Hill, coach at University of San Diego, might be another candidate. The former Cal Lutheran and University of San Francisco coach said he “would be honored” to be considered for the job.

Guerrero said two minor league coaches with UCLA ties had expressed interest, though he declined to identify them. He also said interviews would not be conducted until after the season.

Adams has a record of 950-792-7 with the Bruins and has won 1,138 games overall, including five seasons at Irvine.

He has sent more players to the major leagues, 38, than any other active coach. However, the Bruins have won only one Pac-10 title since 1986 and last made the playoffs in 2000.

Observers say UCLA is also hurt by its off-campus home field, Jackie Robinson Stadium, which lags when compared to facilities at other local schools. USC, Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State have either built or refurbished their stadiums in the last five years.

But even facility and won-lost issues have failed to dim the allure of Bruin baseball, opposing coaches say.

“There’s a good feeling about UCLA baseball, even though people want them to win more,” Stanford Coach Mark Marquess said. “It’s a perfect situation for a coach to come in.”

Adams, 64, has his own preferred candidate: UCLA hitting coach Vince Beringhele, a former Bruin player who has been Adams’ assistant for 15 years. Beringhele has tutored nine high-round professional draft picks, including Angel third baseman Troy Glaus.

“But I’m not sure my opinion will matter,” Adams said. “John Wooden wanted Denny Crum to replace him and the administration didn’t listen to him.”

For now, Adams is focused on going out a winner. UCLA, which opened its season Tuesday with a 4-1 victory over UC Riverside, has all of its position players back from a 28-31 team.

In a poll of Pac-10 coaches, UCLA was picked to finish seventh, but Adams is typically optimistic.

“There’s not a whole lot of respect being shown for us,” he said, “but in 1986 we were picked last, Cal was picked first, and we ended up first. Hopefully, we’ll surprise a lot of people.

“I’ve got a wonderful feeling about this team. So far, it’s been the hardest-working team I’ve ever had. I want to coach my hardest and get the best out of this team. That’s the gift I want to give to my seniors.”

Said Guerrero: “There would be nothing greater than to see Gary in this final year have a successful season and get into postseason play.”

Fellow coaches -- even a rival from across town -- express similar sentiments.

“I want him to do well, but I also want him to go 0-6 against us,” USC Coach Mike Gillespie joked.

“I do want Gary to feel good about his last experience this season. I think he deserves that.”

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A Capsule Look at the Southland

CAL STATE FULLERTON

* 2003 record: 50-16, 15-6 in Big West Conference (second).

* Coach: George Horton (eighth year).

* Outlook: Rotation of Jason Windsor, Ryan Schreppel, Dustin Miller and Ricky Romero, when injury-free, could become one of nation’s best.

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

* 2003 record: 14-42, 8-13 in Big West (tie for fifth).

* Coach: Steve Rousey (second year).

* Outlook: Rebuilding Matadors became respectable toward the end of last season. Northridge hit 10 home runs in winning two of three in a season-opening series against San Diego.

LONG BEACH STATE

* 2003 record: 41-20, 16-5 in Big West (first).

* Coach: Mike Weathers (third year).

* Outlook: Likely first-round pick Jered Weaver (14-4, 1.96 ERA) was dominant as a sophomore. Veteran lineup should produce more power.

UC IRVINE

* 2003 record: 21-35, 8-13 in Big West (tie for fifth).

* Coach: John Savage (third year).

* Outlook: Feeble offense was wracked by injuries in 2003, but Matt Anderson and R.J. Brown are sound again and Brett Smith and Glenn Swanson should make for a solid one-two punch in pitching rotation.

UC RIVERSIDE

* 2003 record: 41-17, 14-7 in Big West (third).

* Coach: Jack Smitheran (35th year).

* Outlook: Highlanders will no longer surprise people after contending for the Big West title last season. A.J. Shappi and Jaymie Torres are returning 10-game winners.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

* 2003 record: 26-30, 13-17 in West Coast Conference (sixth).

* Coach: Frank Cruz (eighth year).

* Outlook: Six returning position players make Lions a dark-horse conference title contender, but they must avoid another late-season collapse.

PEPPERDINE

* 2003 record: 36-25, 23-7 in West Coast (first).

* Coach: Steve Rodriguez (first year).

* Outlook: Former player and assistant Rodriguez, a hero from the Waves’ 1992 national champions, inherits a solid pitching staff. Sophomore David Uribes moves from second base to shortstop.

UCLA

* 2003 record: 28-31, 11-13 in Pacific 10 (tie for fifth).

* Coach: Gary Adams (30th year).

* Outlook: With Wes Whisler, Brandon Averill and Billy Susdorf, the Bruins’ experienced lineup has plenty of pop. As usual, pitching is a question mark.

USC

* 2003 record: 28-28, 11-13 in Pacific 10 (tie for fifth).

* Coach: Mike Gillespie (17th year).

* Outlook: Trojans should be motivated after missing the playoffs last season. A shaky pitching staff may need to rely on freshman Ian Kennedy.

-- Eric Stephens