UC Irvine’s Serrano will succeed Horton at Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton has hired Dave Serrano away from UC Irvine to replace George Horton, who left last week to take over at Oregon.

Serrano, the 2007 national coach of the year, guided the Anteaters to the College World Series for the first time in school history. He was pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Fullerton for eight seasons before leaving for Irvine after the 2004 season. He also pitched for Fullerton in 1986.

Last week, Serrano issued a statement saying he wasn’t interested in the Fullerton job because he wanted longtime Titans assistant Rick Vanderhook to get the opportunity. But when he was told Vanderhook was not being considered as head coach, Serrano changed his mind.

“When it was presented to me that the opportunity at Fullerton was not going to be given to Coach Vanderhook, then, and only then, did I start thinking I wasn’t going to let it pass,” Serrano said. “It’s great to be back. I am ready to take on the challenge.”

Serrano has signed through the 2011 season. He takes over a team that has won four national championships and has advanced to the College World Series 15 times, including four times in the last five seasons. UC Irvine eliminated Fullerton from the CWS in June.

“Dave Serrano was my first choice to replace George,” Fullerton Athletic Director Brian Quinn said. “It was a terrible thing to lose George, but the best person to keep going what he has accomplished is Dave Serrano.”

-- Peter Yoon