Jim Bolla, under investigation for allegedly kicking a player, is out as the University of Hawaii women's basketball coach and members of his coaching staff have been given notice that their contracts will not be renewed.

In a conference call this afternoon, UH athletic director Jim Donovan said Bolla was no longer an employee of the school since Monday.

Donovan didn't reveal other details on Bolla's status, citing personnel issues.

"Jim Bolla is no longer head coach of the UH women's basketball team," Donovan said. "There's not much more I can say right now."

Bolla, who has served as the University of Hawaii-Manoa's head women's basketball coach since 2004, has been on paid leave since Feb. 13 while the school's Office of Human Resources looked into an allegation that he kicked a player during practice earlier this season.

This is the second time in less than a year that Bolla, 57, who has coached UH for five seasons, has been accused of mistreating players, according to people familiar with the processes. Both complaints are said to be filed by players. The earlier case was said to have resulted in a warning to Bolla this past summer.

UH has started a national search for a coach and the position has already been posted on the UH employment Web site. The position will close on April 24, according to the posting.

A search committee will be chaired by UH senior woman administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano. Members on the committee will include tourism authority member David Uchiyama, former Rainbow Wahine coach Vince Goo, attorney and gender equity advocate Jill Nunokawa and businessman and UH supporter Don Murphy.

Pat Charity is the interim head coach and has been since early February. Charity, who also took over for Bolla while he was on leave and was Bolla's first first hire in 2004, was unavailable for comment.

Donovan said he was "very grateful for the attitude and approach Pat took as interim head coach."

Last Wednesday, all the assistants received 90 days notice that their contracts will not be renewed. The new head coach will decide whether to retain the assistants.

All three assistants — Charity (associate coach), Matthew Paton and Bolla's wife, Dallas — are eligible to apply for the head position.

Under terms of his contract, if Bolla is terminated for cause he must be given 10 days' notice with "salary and any benefits ..." ending upon termination.

Bolla, who has two seasons remaining at more than $120,000 per year, may contest any findings against him.

Bolla record at UH is 55-73 in games that he has coached. Besides not coaching at the end of this season, Bolla also missed eight games of the end of the 2006-07 season because of health issues.

The Advertiser reported in March that a copy of the OHR report, which was said to have "sustained allegations," according to a person claiming knowledge but not authorized to speak publicly, was said to have been provided to Bolla recently. Bolla has not returned calls to The Advertiser.

Generally, UH officials said earlier that procedure in situations involving complaints against staff members usually results in a meeting with the departmental supervisor, who decides what action will be taken.

Donovan was on a 10-day vacation in March and returned March 30. He attended the Final Four in Detroit and is now in Indianapolis.