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.