Head softball coach Mike Candrea announced Friday that assistant coach and former Arizona pitcher Nancy Evans has resigned from the team to pursue other opportunities.

Evans’ resignation will leave another hole in this year’s coaching staff, as Candrea will leave to be the head coach of the U.S. National Team in the Beijing Olympics in January.

Evans said in a press release that “”exciting opportunities have been presented to me and I have decided to pursue them.””

“”As a student-athlete and coach at the University, I will take with me many wonderful memories, experiences and accomplishments,”” she added in the release.

Arizona softball has been known for its consistent dominance inside the pitcher’s circle. Evans paved the way in the dynasty that has followed with Jennie Finch, Alicia Hollowell and now Taryne Mowatt.

In each of Evans’ years as a pitching coach, the Wildcats have had an All-American pitcher, including Mowatt, last year’s Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

In her pitching career at Arizona, Evans posted a career 124-8 record and was named NCAA Player of the Year in 1998. She was also named a First-Team All-American pitcher in 1997 and 1998.

Evans was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

“”Nancy played a very significant part in the success of Arizona softball over the years,”” Candrea said in the release. “”She has played and coached the game at the highest level and has left quite a legacy at the UA.””