TUCSON, Ariz. -- Michael Lopez got a sense that his father will be fine when he started showing his sense of humor and setting a list of priorities.
Such was the case Tuesday, just a day after Arizona baseball coach Andy Lopez underwent triple bypass heart surgery.
"Slowly but surely," Michael said Tuesday after visiting with his father. "He was just making sure with my mom that things needed to get done. He wanted those things done."
The Wildcats were two days into fall practice and just four days removed from getting word their coach would need heart surgery. Lopez, now in his 31st year of coaching, and just a month from turning 60 years old, is 437-265-7 at Arizona and 1,124-685-7 overall.
"For all of us, it was kind of shocking," said Michael, a volunteer assistant coach, "because when you look at him you don't think that he looks like he's 60. He runs every day … as horrible as it is, I'm thankful that they caught it."
Michael said his father is still in intensive care at a local hospital, and it's not clear when he'll start his rehabilitation.
"I think he'll be fine. He's young ... not really young, but he looks young," Lopez said.
Arizona assistant coach Shaun Cole described Lopez as the picture of health -- a man who eats the same thing every day: "Peanut and jelly sandwich, some fruit, yogurt and granola. He's not over at In & Out crushing cheeseburgers. He works out regularly."
So when Arizona sent news that Lopez, now in his 13th year and a season removed from his second NCAA title, it came as an eye opener.
Matt Siegel, who will assist Cole in the day-to-day coaching duties this fall, said he told the players "that we still have a job to do. Coach Lopez sets an incredible tone, from attention to detail to intensity. It's our job to make sure our players are doing that."
Siegel said there is no timetable for Lopez's return, but there is no doubt "this is where he belongs," referring to the baseball field.
"We're anxious for him to get back, but what's important to know is that he's 100 percent when he does get back," Siegel said.
Sophomore shortstop Kevin Newman said it was weird not having Lopez at practice.
"He holds everyone to such a high standard," Newman said. "Someone misses a ground ball and he'd say something to motivate you. It's definitely different. Coach Siegel and Coach Cole will keep us accountable. We will still work hard."
