Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadToday’s episode features a conversation with University of Arizona‘s head softball coach Mike Candrea. Coach Candrea enters his 32nd season as the head coach of the University of Arizona softball team. He has an impressive resume featuring 8 national titles, 1,468 career victories, and was the head coach for team USA in 2004 (Gold medal) and 2008 (Silver medal).
In our conversation we talk about his early days growing up as the son of a musican. Moving out west from New Orleans, to his own playing days. We spend some time talking about his playing and then coaching days at Central Arizona College. We talk about George Young who was the Athletic Director at CAC and gave him his start as a head coach.
We also talk about a former player of his Julie Reitan who passed away one month after they won the 1997 national  championship and how it changed him as a person and as a coach.
We chat about some exciting changes the the game of softball is considering to help speed up the game…(baseball you should probably pay attention to this!). We also discusss some of his favorite books including The Obstacle is the Way  and Ego is the Enemy By Ryan Holiday. How Champions Think by Dr. Bob Rotella.  How Good Do You Want To Be? by Nick Saban.
Coach Candrea is an amazing human being and the Godfather of college softball…please sit back and enjoy my in depth conversation with Mike Candrea. #BearDown