Posted on: Friday, July 16, 2004

Regents committee OKs hiring of Bolla

Advertiser Staff

A Board of Regents committee yesterday approved the recommendation to hire Jim Bolla as head coach of the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team.

The measure was forwarded by the regents' committee on personnel and legal affairs to the full board for what is expected to be a final, routine approval today.

The athletic department has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference regarding the position.

Bolla, a former Nevada-Las Vegas women's basketball coach, has been running a barbecue business in Las Vegas in recent years.

Bolla, 52, succeeds Vince Goo, the state's winningest basketball coach. Goo announced his retirement in February after 20 seasons, 17 as head coach.

Bolla will take over a program that has posted 11 20-victory seasons and advanced to 10 postseason tournaments since 1987. Last season, the Rainbow Wahine dipped to 8-20 after eight consecutive winning seasons.

All 14 of the Rainbow Wahine — including two redshirts — had said they would return for this season despite Goo's retirement. Only April Atuaia, a senior last season, exhausted her eligibility.

Bolla compiled a 300-120 record in 14 years at UNLV from 1982-96. In his first six seasons at UNLV, Bolla coached with his former wife, Sheila Strike-Bolla, and posted a 142-43 record, averaging nearly 24 wins a season.

He resigned after 11-15 and 4-21 seasons, and has been out of collegiate coaching for eight years.

The UH coaching search started with 91 applicants and was narrowed to four final candidates. Bolla was selected over Rainbow Wahine assistant Da Houl, Florida State head coach Sue Semrau and Oklahoma assistant Bo Overton.

Bolla becomes the sixth head coach in the history of the Rainbow Wahine basketball program.