New names have surfaced as potential candidates for the open UCLA baseball coaching position, while the man many thought was the leading candidate has taken himself out of the race.

Five candidates have been interviewed so far, according to Ken Weiner, a UCLA associate athletic director and the official who is overseeing the coaching search. More interviews may be conducted, but Weiner couldn’t name specific candidates for the job.

UCLA is still shooting for its self-imposed July 1 deadline to find a new coach, Weiner said June 24.

Arizona coach and UCLA alumnus Andy Lopez was once thought to be the favorite, but Lopez announced on June 23 after his team was eliminated in the College World Series, that he would not take the UCLA job.

“I would be nuts if I left,” Lopez said at a press conference on Tuesday. “People would ask me, ‘Why did you work so hard to get this going here and then leave?’ We like it here. My family and I like it here.”

When asked if Lopez was considered for the UCLA job, Weiner said “everyone was considered,” and also said that a coach had to express interest for UCLA to talk to him.

Last week, two other potential candidates surfaced in printed reports – Tim Wallach and Torey Lovullo.

Wallach, who played for 17 years in the major leagues, is a UCLA alumnus and is currently the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Tim is flattered that UCLA may be interested in him,” Alan Meersand, Wallach’s agent, told the Los Angeles Times on behalf of Wallach. “But he is very satisfied working with the Dodger hitters and enjoys what he is doing.”

Lovullo, also a UCLA alumnus, is reportedly a candidate for the UCLA post. He is currently the manager of the Cleveland Indians’ Class-A affiliate, the Kinston Indians.

Lovullo, who played for seven different major league clubs from 1988 to 1999, could not be reached for comment.

Two other candidates who have reportedly received interviews are UC Irvine coach John Savage and current UCLA assistant coach Vince Beringhele.

Savage led the Anteaters to the NCAA Regionals this past season and was hired by current UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero when Guerrero was the athletic director at UC Irvine.

Guerrero already made one hire from his previous school when he hired Petrina Long as an associate athletic director and women’s administrator. But none of the three head coaches hired by Guerrero at UCLA came from UC Irvine.

Savage also could not be reached for comment.

Beringhele was an assistant under long-time coach Gary Adams for 16 years. Several players have come out in support of Beringhele in the past.

He is currently assisting Team USA Baseball, and was not available for comment.