October 9, 2007

Gillespie ready to take Anteaters higher
UC Irvine introduces its new baseball coach.
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register

IRVINE -- After four weeks, one day and several hours, UC Irvine finally announced Tuesday it had hired a baseball coach.

To no one's surprise, Mike Gillespie was introduced as the Anteaters coach, along with associate coach Pat Shine, at a hastily called news conference at Anteater Ballpark's Newkirk Pavilion.

"That's right, let's go 'Eaters," said Gillespie, who signed his three-year contract Monday. "I want to say that I am deeply honored and flattered to be here."

Gillespie, who will earn a base salary of $140,000, a shoe and apparel contract worth $150,000, plus other incentives, accepted the offer three weeks ago but was waiting to be approved by the UC Board of Regents.

"I want to take back all those things I said about the UC schools the past 20 years. It was all said in fun," the former USC coach said.

Gillespie, 67, brings his brand of humor and more than two decades of experience to Irvine, where he will look to build on the Anteaters' recent success. UCI reached the 2007 College World Series for the first time since the school moved to Division I.

"There's a lot to be excited about," he said, "but the team took a hit with the loss of several key position players."

Gillespie said he and Shine have conducted their first limited workout with the team. He intends to play some small ball, but "there's no law against the three-run home run. Sometimes we give that sign and sometimes they miss that sign."

Outfielder Ollie Linton said he and several teammates who have spoken to Gillespie were pleased he was hired. Linton said the veteran coach brings a sense of confidence to a team that was rocked when Dave Serrano took the job at Cal State Fullerton.

"He's a big-name guy who has done a lot," Linton said. "He's managed the Yankees minor-league team and USC to the World Series. … We know that Coach Gillespie and Shine can lead us into battle."