In 33 years as a collegiate head coach, Andy Lopez became one of the winningest NCAA Div. I coaches of all-time, amassing a record of 1177-742-7 (.613). A two-time ABCA/Diamond Sports National Coach of the Year, Lopez is one of only two NCAA Div. I head coaches to have won a national title at two schools (Arizona and Pepperdine).
He is also one of only three coaches to lead three different schools (Pepperdine, Florida and Arizona) to the College World Series. Further, he is one of four coaches to take two schools to Omaha on multiple occasions (Arizona, Florida).
Lopez spent the final 14 seasons of his career (2002-15) leading Arizona, guiding the Wildcats to College World Series appearances in 2004 and 2012. In 2012, Lopez led Arizona to a share of the Pac-12 championship and a perfect 10-0 record in the NCAA Tournament, culminating in the school’s fourth national championship and a final record of 48-17. The Pac-12 Coach of the Year that season, Lopez also was named national coach of the year by Collegiate Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association. His record in 14 seasons at Arizona was 490-324-1 (.602) and the team made eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Lopez began his collegiate head coaching career at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1983. His teams won league titles in 1986 and 1987. The latter went on to the NCAA Div. II College World Series. Three different times he was named the conference Coach of the Year and his teams went 168-152-2 (.525).
Pepperdine hired Lopez to lead the baseball team in 1989, and over six seasons, he tallied a record of 241-107-3 (.691), including the 1992 campaign when Lopez was named consensus National Coach of the Year for leading the Waves to their first and only national championship.
In 1995, Lopez began a seven-year stint at the University of Florida, turning the Gators into a top-25 program and making trips to the College World Series in 1996 and 1998. He led the Gators to a 278-159-1 (.636) record over that span, including 50 wins in 1996, as well as three SEC East regular season titles.
A total of 131 Lopez-coached players have signed professional contracts. He has also coached 39 All-Americans and 85 All-Conference players.
Lopez played college baseball at Los Angeles Harbor Community College and UCLA. A 1975 graduate of UCLA, Lopez was the team captain and starting shortstop for the 1975 Bruin team. He was drafted in the ninth round by the Detroit Tigers, but opted to complete his studies and begin his coaching career instead of turning pro.
He got his first coaching job at his junior college alma mater, L.A. Harbor Community College, where he spent two seasons as an assistant. He was then hired at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, Calif, where he led the team to a 108-48 (.692) record over five seasons.
Lopez is a member of six local Halls of Fame: Pima County, UCLA, Pepperdine, L.A. Harbor Community College, San Pedro and the South Bay Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, Lopez was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and twice served as the manager for Athletes in Action.
He is a Lifetime ABCA Member and spoke at the ABCA Convention on multiple occasions.
