Jim Bolla is no longer the coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team, according to a three-paragraph news release issued by athletics director Jim Donovan today.

Bolla, 57, head coach of the Rainbow Wahine the last five years, was on paid leave since Feb. 13 and missed the final nine games of the 2008-09 season after allegations surfaced that he kicked a player during a fall practice.

A university source said a negotiated settlement was in the works for his removal. But Bolla said last night he would file a grievance through his union on any UH decision and declined further comment.

Donovan’s release said a search committee would be formed immediately and UH hopes to have a new coach soon.

Bolla, hired for the 2004-05 season to replace Vince Goo, had two years remaining on his contract at roughly $120,000 per year. Then-athletic director Herman Frazier gave Bolla a four-year extension on his original three-year contract during the summer of 2007.

Bolla compiled a 64-80 record at UH in his five seasons. But UH never advanced past the WAC tournament quarterfinals under Bolla or made it to the postseason, and the program suffered its most single-season losses ever this season at 8-23.

When Bolla went on paid leave, head assistant Pat Charity took over and guided the team to a 3-6 record to end the year.

Bolla was previously at UNLV, where he compiled a 300-120 record in 14 seasons. He didn’t coach between 1997 and 2003.