Sue Enquist’s retirement from coaching UCLA softball
represents the end of an era for many people. For Kelly
Inouye-Perez, it’s the beginning of a new one.
Inouye-Perez has been named only the third coach in UCLA
softball’s 32-year history, as Enquist’s successor.
As a member of the program for the past 17 years as either a
player or coach, she is well aware of the championships looming
over her head. But as a protege and a friend of Enquist, she is
reveling in the challenge with the same energy that Enquist
instilled in the program.
Inouye-Perez was recruited by Enquist and played for her from
1989 to 1992. She then became an assistant coach for the next 13
seasons. With the shock of Enquist’s exit still fresh,
Inouye-Perez’s first job has been to give the players some
stability.
“When (Enquist) announced that she was retiring, there
wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Inouye-Perez said.
“It was very emotional.
“We were able to communicate to all the parents of the
recruits about what the future holds.”
Inouye-Perez was told by Enquist that the legendary coach would
step aside before the next season, and soon thereafter UCLA
athletic director Dan Guerrero hired Inouye-Perez. The new coach is
still flooded with emotions, sad to see her mentor leave the
program but also excited at the prospects of picking up where
Enquist left off.
“You get past the shock that she’s retiring,”
she said. “And you get excited about the chance to lead this
program.”
The new coach’s first move was to hire two-time Olympic
gold medalist Lisa Fernandez as one of her new assistants.
Inouye-Perez and Fernandez are close friends, having played
together on 18-and-under national teams before winning national
titles together at UCLA. When Inouye-Perez found out that she would
be the new coach, the first person she called was Fernandez.
“Lisa is my closest friend; we knew that it was a lifelong
dream that if Sue would step down, the two of us would lead the
program. The comfort zone was very important for me, to have people
around me who know the program.”
Fernandez won’t be the only familiar face returning to
Westwood to build a young coaching staff that conjures up memories
of the past.
Natasha Watley, an All-American for UCLA before graduating in
2003, will be a volunteer assistant for the upcoming season.
Additionally, Emily Zaplatosch, Caitlin Benyi and Andrea Duran will
be fifth-year undergraduate assistants for the team.
Eighth-year assistant coach Gina Vecchione will also stay with
UCLA.
With so many in the softball community still thinking about what
the Bruins will look like without Enquist, there is at least one
fan who has no doubt that Inouye-Perez will carry on a championship
tradition.
“I’m willing to put my life’s salary on the
success of this next coaching staff,” Enquist said.