If there is anyone more proud of the Arizona baseball team – outside of coach Jay Johnson and athletic director Greg Byrne – it's Andy Lopez.

Naturally, he is, just a year removed from retiring as coach of the Wildcats after a 14-year career and four seasons removed from UA's last national title. Arizona (44-21) faces Miami on Saturday in Omaha.

“I'm so very proud of them and what they've done,” Lopez said in a telephone interview.

He's just as impressed with Johnson, who took what was left on the roster and brought in recruits that would fit in.

“It's a great way to come in – get into the College World Series,” said Lopez. “That doesn't happen very often so I'm very happy for him and his staff.”

Lopez said he knows Johnson's coaching staff more than he knows Johnson, including Sergio Brown and Dave Lawn.

“I'm happy for those guys and real happy for the players, especially the seniors,” he said. “Many have had great seasons.”

Lopez talked about Cody Ramer, Ryan Aguilar, Zach Gibbons, Nathan Bannister and Cody Moffett. And the rest.

“I used to tell them that the best part of your career is (being able) to stretch in Omaha,” he said. “They'll be doing that so I'm happy for them.”

Arizona's whirlwind to Omaha has been a lot like Lopez orchestrated in 2012 when UA won it all.

Lopez said there was little doubt the team had talent, mentioning the seniors and a recruiting class that was helped by the national title. He admitted the last couple of years given his health issues – one that included heart surgery – “were a challenge for those guys.”