UCLA'S ENQUIST TO RETIRE COACH LED THE BRUINS TO 11 NATIONAL TITLES.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne  Staff Writer

UCLA softball coach Sue Enquist, winner of an NCAA-record 11 national titles as a player or coach, will retire Jan. 1.

Enquist has been the face of UCLA softball for more than 31 years. She was the program's first All-American player, the sport's first inductee into the UCLA Hall of Fame and only the second coach the most storied program in collegiate softball has ever known.

She retires with the highest winning percentage of any current or former Division I head coach (.835). Her only peer is Arizona and U.S. National team head coach Mike Candrea, who has an (.834) career winning percentage.

Longtime assistant Kelly Inouye-Perez has been chosen as her successor.

The move stunned many in the UCLA community, but not former All-American and two-time Olympic gold medallist Stacey Nuveman, who played for Enquist from 1997-2002.

``My first reaction was the timing. Why now? Why January?'' she said. ``Why not coach another year? But ultimately it comes down to her wanting to bow out gracefully and with as little pomp and circumstance as possible.

``That's just her style. As much as she's the leader of UCLA softball, she doesn't really like the spotlight. She'd hate doing a farewell tour. It would drive her up the wall.''

In a 2005 interview with the Daily News, Enquist said she wouldn't seek any fanfare when she retired.

``When I'm done with coaching, it'll be `Bam, I'm out of here,' ``she said. ``I'm not going to be one of those people who is like, `I think I'm done, I think I'm done, retirement tour, no no no.'

``When I'm gone, I'm gone. I'll be off surfing.''

That's not just a euphemism. Enquist has been an avid surfer for most of her life. You can find her surfing just about every morning at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach.

UCLA, though, isn't quite ready to let her go. Enquist has been asked to stay on as the Director of Major Gifts for the UCLA Athletics External Relations Office.

``For over 31 years, I have loved UCLA as a player and a coach,'' Enquist said Tuesday afternoon. ``I am thrilled to continue my relationship with UCLA Athletics in Development. I am fortunate to step down as the head coach of UCLA softball with my passion and excitement for the game intact. I will continue to be a spokesman for our great sport.''

Inouye-Perez was a three-time all Pac-10 selection (1989, 1990, 1992). She has been on Enquist's staff for 13 years, working mainly with pitchers, catchers and infielders.

Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and considered the greatest player in school history, will join the staff as an assistant.

Nuveman was excited to hear that Enquist had passed the torch to Inouye-Perez.

``I can't imagine anybody else doing it,'' Nuveman said. ``It's going to be a challenge for Kelly to pick it up, but she's been mentored by the best.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) ENQUIST

(2 -- color) INOUYE-PEREZ

(3) no caption (Sue Enquist)

Photo courtesy of UCLA

Box:

ENQUIST HOLDS HER OWN WITH THE BEST