Following the offseason departure of former Arizona softball assistant coach Larry Ray and the promotion of former All-American Alicia Hollowell from director of operations to assistant coach, head coach Mike Candrea completed his staff today.

Former four-time first-team Wildcat All-American Caitlin Lowe was hired as the new director of operations Wednesday, along with former Pima Community College pitching coach Mark Blair, who signed on as the volunteer assistant.

Lowe helped the UA claim its back-to-back 2006 and 2007 national titles and has also played for Team USA, winning the silver with Candrea at the 2008 Beijing Games.

“It’s great to have Caitlin back in Tucson,” Candrea said in a statement. “She’s a great addition to our staff, one of the best players to wear an Arizona or any uniform. While she won’t be coaching, having another set of eyes like that will help our staff.”

Blair brings some more playing experience to the Wildcats’ coaching staff, as he is a former men’s amateur player as well as a former coach at Tucson’s Flowing Wells High School.

“Mark brings a lot of experience to the table,” Candrea said in a statement. “He was a noted player and his coaching brings an abundance of knowledge of the game to our program. He’ll be a strong bench coach, can pitch batting practice, and certainly help with our pitchers.”

Blair will officially begin duties August 16, as players report to campus, while Lowe will not start until September, after her final game with the Florida Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch League.