Nick Candrea took the helm at PVCC Softball in 2005.  Prior to that time, he served as the Men’s Golf head coach for the Pumas.

Candrea was born in White Plains, NY, and then moved to New Orleans, LA where he lived until 1960 when he then made his new home in Phoenix. Upon graduation from Sunnyslope High School, he went to Glendale Community College on a baseball scholarship. After two years at GCC he spent four years in the United States Air Force. He then attended Arizona State University and completed his degree in education. His first high school teaching job was at Moon Valley High School where he spent one year as a member of the Physical Education Department as well as coaching football and baseball.

Candrea spent 30 years at Washington High School where he was head of the Physical Education Department.  He was the head baseball coach for 28 of those years and he coached football, softball and golf.  He coached two State Championship teams: 1986 Baseball and 1988 Golf. During his tenure teaching and coaching, Candrea accomplished the following: Skyline Region Coach of the Year in baseball, softball and golf; 1986 Arizona Baseball Coach of the Year; four-time North All-Star Baseball coach.  He was inducted into the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008. 

Candrea celebrated his 50^th year in coaching and education in the valley in spring 2023.

Candrea currently lives in Peoria, AZ with his wife Staci. He has six children: Scott, Christy, Jeff, Whitney, Kelsey, and Cody. He is an avid golfer and New York Yankee fan.