Irvine Hires Titan Aide

UC Irvine turned to a national championship program and a nearby Big West Conference rival to find its new baseball coach. It hired Dave Serrano to replace John Savage, who left to take the UCLA job a little more than a week ago.

Serrano, 39, spent the last eight seasons as the pitching coach and lead recruiter at Cal State Fullerton under George Horton. A onetime Cerritos College and Titan pitcher, Serrano confirmed his hiring but refrained from further comment until today’s news conference at the Bren Center.

Horton has called Serrano “the best pitching coach in the country” and repeatedly lauded his efforts in helping lead the Titans to their fourth NCAA title and first since 1995. Serrano was responsible for virtually all of the pitching decisions between and during games.

“We talked a lot about [the Irvine job],” Horton said. “I promised him that I wouldn’t try to talk him out of it. The only thing I said was he needed to base his decision on his family. It is a great opportunity for him, and Irvine is not only getting a terrific coach but a great human being. He’s been a great friend for the last 15 years, and I told him at dinner that I wish him the best in finishing in second place.”

In all, 24 of the Titans’ pitchers were drafted during Serrano’s tenure and six have reached the major leagues, including Montreal closer Chad Cordero and Oakland reliever Kirk Saarloos.

His best work may have come in the Titans’ run to the title this season, as senior Jason Windsor became one of the nation’s best pitchers. Senior Mike Martinez and junior Scott Sarver also played critical roles in the postseason.

“His numbers and our success speak for itself,” Horton said.

Other candidates under consideration were Anteater assistant Jason Gill and former UCLA assistant coach Vince Beringhele. Gill has said that he would join Savage at UCLA if he did not get the Irvine position.

Freshman pitcher Justin Cassel, who is playing in the Cape Cod League, praised the hiring of Serrano and said he would remain at Irvine rather than seek a transfer to play for the Bruins.

“At first I did have my doubts, and I was looking at my options after Coach Savage left, but Coach Serrano is a quality guy and I’m looking forward to learning a lot from him,” Cassel said. “What Fullerton did this year was great, and that’s where we want our program to be.”