Nancy Evans, one of the greatest players in UA softball history who became a renowned pitching coach, resigned from the team Friday.
Evans, who won six national titles as a coach and player, said in a news release "exciting opportunities have been presented to me, and I have decided to pursue them."
The departure of Evans, 32, appears to have been in the works for the past few weeks.
Evans was not in attendance Nov. 2 when the UA softball team was inducted into the school's hall of fame.
She did not participate when the UA received its national championship and Pac-10 title rings at halftime of the men's basketball game against Texas A&M 13 days ago.
For at least a month, Evans' office voice mail at McKale Center instructed callers not to leave a message.
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UA coach Mike Candrea and senior associate athletic director Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose declined comment about Evans' status over the past three weeks, saying only that she was currently employed by the university.
As recently as Aug. 22, Evans renewed her year-to-year contract for $38,201, according to payroll records acquired by the Star. She was slated to share head-coaching duties with assistant Larry Ray next season while Candrea coaches the U.S. Olympic team.
Late Friday, Candrea was vague about the timing of the move.
"All I can tell you right now is that the resignation came in today and was final today," Candrea said. "That's all I can comment on."
Messages left on Evans' cell phone Friday night got no reply.
Candrea said he will pursue a replacement immediately. Ray will serve as acting head coach, and volunteer assistant coach Dave Feinberg will remain in his role, Candrea said.
Candrea said he has set no specific time frame for the hire, but admitted it would be best to find someone soon.
"It does make things a little more difficult, with me leaving in January and trying to get things done," he said. "This is a very important hire. We will take our time and try to make sure we have the right fit. It will happen when I feel we get the right person."
Whomever Candrea hires will have to replace a UA legend.
Since joining the Wildcats as a freshman in 1994, Evans missed the Women's College World Series only twice — in 1996 and 2004.
She won the title as a player in 1994, 1996 and 1997, although she redshirted the 1996 season because of a foot injury. As a coach, she won title with the Cats in 2001, '06 and '07.
Evans, a career 124-8 pitcher, is one of five players to have her number retired by the softball program.
Her .939 winning percentage is the best in NCAA history.
She put together one of the best seasons ever by a college pitcher in 1998 when she went 36-2 with a 0.98 ERA en route to winning the Honda Softball Award, given to the nation's best player. She was named a first-team All-American in 1997 and 1998.
Evans also played third base, second base, shortstop and designated player, finishing in the program's top 10 in hits, doubles, homers, RBIs and walks.
After Evans' UA career ended in 1998, she became a volunteer assistant coach for the Wildcats in 1999 and 2000. She was named a full-time assistant in 2001.
The past two years, she tutored Alicia Hollowell and Taryne Mowatt, each of whom was named the Most Outstanding Player of a UA title team.
Evans' pitch-calling during Mowatt's run through the 2007 series might be the highlight of her coaching career. Fearlessly, Evans called change-ups at the most unusual times, never showing a pattern, and keeping teams off-guard.
"She did a tremendous job calling a great game at the World Series," Candrea said. "That was a big part of it. Taryne's got to execute it — you've got to give Taryne a little credit. But Nancy gave her a game plan and called a good game."
The two-time defending champion Wildcats begin practice in mid-January. For the first time since 1993, Evans won't be on the field.
"You hate to see anyone go that's been a big part of the program," Candrea said. "On the other hand, people have to do what they need to do. We've had to replace coaches many times."
