TUCSON, Ariz. -- The motto for new Arizona baseball coach Jay Johnson is simple: "Complete the job or die trying."
Simple. Direct. Impactful. Like a line drive up the middle.
It was his way of saying how he wanted to continue the legacy of a proud baseball program that was driven by Jerry Kindall, Jerry Stitt and Andy Lopez for the last 40-plus years and as recently as 2012 won a NCAA title.
The 38-year-old Johnson was introduced Monday as the man to replace the recently retired Lopez. The former Nevada head coach and former University of San Diego associate head coach talked about integrity and having an impact and how humbled he was to have the opportunity to take his "dream job."
"I would take it a step further and say this is the greatest day in my life," Johnson said in his 38-minute press conference attended by basketball coach Sean Miller, football coach Rich Rodriguez and former baseball coaches Jerry Kindall and Jerry Stitt. "I'm excited and passionate to be here. The word that comes to mind is humbled."
Johnson led Nevada to a 41-15 overall record this past season, but the Wolfpack was not invited to the NCAA tournament. In two years, he had a 72-42 record.
On Monday, Johnson brought up the rich history of the program and players he watched growing up -- such as Trevor Hoffman, Chip Hale, Terry Francona and Lance Dickson.
"To be at a place where they've had that success (of World Series appearances and championships) is really exciting to be able to pursue that challenge," Johnson said.
He mentioned former coaches Frank Sancet, Kindall, Stitt and Lopez as beacons of the coaching profession. He talked about a connection he had with the latter three. The first baseball video he watched was made by Kindall.
"I went out as an 11-year-old and had a really good season," he said.
He promptly bought Stitt's hitting video.
After realizing he wasn't going to be a major league player, he went and bought Lopez's book -- Coaching Baseball Successfully -- and has read it "cover to cover."
"To be sitting here today and be a part of what you guys have established and have made so good for so long is really humbling," Johnson said.
Lopez was said to be on a family vacation and could not attend the press conference.
Johnson said he hadn't spoken to Lopez since being hired, but they sent messages back and forth. "Coach Lopez has been awesome," Johnson said. "I can't wait to sit down with him."
Lopez did express his congratulations via social media.
Congratulations to @UACoachJ. The program is in great hands. Can't wait to see what the future holds for @ArizonaBaseball #BearDown
— Coach Andy Lopez (@CoachAndyLopez) June 8, 2015
Byrne said Johnson had been on the top of his list of five coaches (he spoke to two), and he offered him the position on Friday via telephone while Johnson was on a recruiting trip in McAlester, Okla. The offer came exactly a week after the two met for the first time in San Diego.
"I said, 'You want to do this thing?' " Byrne said. "He said yes. And we hadn't even talked money.
Byrne said the contract is for $160,000 a year, with another $65,000 through Nike and more through a bat deal and incentives.
"He's the right man," Kindall said. "I'm very impressed. The people who have called me and have talked about him say to me he's highly regarded."
Stitt called the hire a "home run or more like a grand slam." Stitt said he followed Johnson's career as a player and young coach and "I've always been impressed with him. (Coaches) have always spoken very highly of Jay. When Greg called me to tell me I was so excited."
Byrne said he was looking for a coach with strong recruiting ties to Southern California and Arizona. Johnson's recruiting connections at San Diego helped signed Kris Bryant, now a budding star with the Chicago Cubs.
Byrne also said Johnson's work ethic was brought to his attention by Mississippi State coach John Cohen, who Byrne hired before moving to Arizona.
Byrne's vetting process also included speaking to a number of his former players.
"I couldn't get one player to say anything bad about him," Bryne said. "One of his seniors at Nevada said he was 'unbelievable, I wish I could play for him my entire career.' "
Johnson said he was asked if he was ready for this after stints at San Diego and Nevada.
"The answer is: I don't know if you are totally ready but I feel very prepared," he said.
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