{{Short description|American college basketball coach (1952–2022)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Jim Bolla | image = | alt = | caption = | current_title = | current_team = | current_conference = | current_record = | contract = | birth_date = {{birth date|1952|3|27}} | birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2022|10|21|1952|3|27}} | death_place = | alma_mater = | player_years1 = 1971–1975 | player_team1 = Pittsburgh | player_positions = Center | coach_years1 = 1975–1977 | coach_team1 = Pittsburgh (men's volunteer asst.) | coach_years2 = 1977–1978 | coach_team2 = Pittsburgh (men's grad. asst.) | coach_years3 = 1978–1979 | coach_team3 = Pittsburgh (men's asst.) | coach_years4 = 1979–1980 | coach_team4 = Pittsburgh (women's asst.) | coach_years5 = 1981–1982 | coach_team5 = UNLV (assistant) | coach_years6 = 1982–1996 | coach_team6 = UNLV | coach_years7 = 2004–2009 | coach_team7 = Hawaii | admin_years1 = 1996–2001 | admin_team1 = UNLV (dir. of development) | overall_record = 364–200 | tournament_record = 3–7 (NCAA)<br />3–3 (NWIT) | championships = *4× PCAA/Big West regular season (1984, 1985, 1990, 1991) *5× PCAA/Big West tournament (1984–1986, 1990, 1994) | awards = | coaching_records = | CFBHOF_year = | CFBHOF_id = | BASKHOF_year = | BASKHOF_id = | CBBASKHOF_year = | CBASEHOF_year = | WBHOF = | FIBA_HOF_player = | medaltemplates = | show-medals = }}
'''James Daniel Bolla Jr.''' (March 27, 1952{{spnd}}October 21, 2022) was an American college basketball coach. He was the head women's basketball coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1982 to 1996, with his 300 games won the most in the team's history.
==Early life and education== Born in Pittsburgh, Bolla graduated from Bishop Canevin High School in 1970.<ref name="UNLV 1987"/> He played college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh from 1971 to 1975 and was the starting center from 1973 to 1975. The 1974 team was ranked at 10th in the nation, and featured a school record 22-game winning streak. The Panthers advanced to the Elite Eight of the 1974 NCAA tournament. Bolla graduated in August 1976 with a degree in physical education.<ref name="commencement">{{cite web|url=http://documenting.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A1977e49956/viewer#page/46/mode/1up|title=School of Education: Bachelor of Science|page=44|work=University of Pittsburgh Commencement|publisher=University of Pittsburgh|date=April 24, 1977}}</ref><ref name="Hawaii">{{cite web|url=http://hawaiiathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=490&path=wbball|title=Jim Bolla|publisher=Hawaii Athletics|access-date=June 29, 2016|date=2008}}</ref>
==Coaching career== From 1975 to 1977, Bolla was a volunteer assistant coach for Pittsburgh men's basketball. He was promoted to graduate assistant in 1977 and full assistant in 1978. In the 1979–80 season, Bolla moved to the Pittsburgh women's basketball program to be an assistant coach.<ref name="UNLV 1987">{{cite web|url=http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1127&context=basketball_programs|title=Jim Bolla|page=4|work=1987–88 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lady Rebel Basketball Media Guide|publisher=UNLV|year=1987}}</ref>
Bolla joined UNLV in 1981 as an assistant coach, then was head coach from 1982 to 1996. In those 14 years, Bolla had a 300–120 (.714) record, including seven NCAA tournament appearances and 11 seasons with 20 or more wins.<ref name="Hawaii"/> His 300 wins with the team were the most by a UNLV women's basketball coach at the time of his death, while his 71.4 winning percentage was second to Dan Ayala.<ref name=Anderson>{{cite news|title=Jim Bolla, winningest coach in Lady Rebels history, dies|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv/unlv-basketball/jim-bolla-winningest-coach-in-lady-rebels-history-dies-2662196/|first=Mark|last=Anderson|date=October 21, 2022|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref> During the 1989–90 season, UNLV moved to second in the nation, the highest ranking in school history. That team finished with a 28–3 record, the best mark in school history. He is a three-time Big West coach of the year award winner, because of his work at UNLV. He coached six all-Americans, three Big West player of the year winners, and 24 all-conference selections. UNLV won seven Big West titles under his leadership.<ref name="Hawaii"/>
From 2004 to 2009, Bolla was head coach at Hawaii before being fired for cause on April 6, 2009. Bolla was later cleared of the accusation as a practice incident of coaching that was misinterpreted by the player.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daysog, Rick |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Apr/09/ln/hawaii904090356.html |title=Hawaii fires women's hoops coach; Wahine hoops coach gets boot |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411005020/http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090409/NEWS01/904090356/1001 |archive-date=April 11, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The firing followed unfound accusations of verbal and physical abuse from a few players who merely wanted a new coach over playing time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Feb/24/ln/hawaii902240348.html|title=Hawaii coach kicked her, player says|author1=Tsai, Michael|author2=Lewis, Ferd|work=Honolulu Advertiser|date=February 24, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225222156/http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090224/NEWS01/902240348/0/NEWS01|archive-date=February 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career outside coaching== In the 1980–81 season, Bolla was a photographer for the Eastern Eight (now Atlantic 10) Conference.<ref name="UNLV 1987"/>
From 1996 to 2001, Bolla was director of athletic development at UNLV. In that position, he was in charge of fundraising for the athletic department. Bolla secured a $3.1 million gift for the softball and golf programs among nearly $5 million he helped raise.<ref name="Hawaii"/> Bolla went into private business after UNLV declined to renew his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jul/17/sp/sp06a.html|title= Bolla wants UH women to play uptempo |work=Honolulu Advertiser|date=July 17, 2004|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hill, Adam|title=Soesbe's UNLV career over|url=http://digital.library.unlv.edu/objects/reb/30102|work=The Rebel Yell|publisher=UNLV|page=12|date=June 4, 2001}}</ref>
In 2015, Bolla began co-hosting a daily sports talk show on KDWN radio in Las Vegas, ''Coaches' Corner'' with his friend, longtime NVHOF Las Vegas sportscaster Rich Perez, and later with former Raider Greg Townsend.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unlv.kdwn.com/2015/10/20/coaches-corner-monday-october-19/ |title=Coaches Corner Monday, October 19 – Coaches Corner |website=unlv.kdwn.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814070604/http://unlv.kdwn.com/2015/10/20/coaches-corner-monday-october-19/ |archive-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>
==Personal life== Bolla was married to Dallas Boychuk. They later divorced just prior to his death. Together, they had one daughter, Sasha.<ref name="Hawaii"/><ref name=Anderson/> Previously, Bolla was married to Sheila Strike, who was co-head coach with him at UNLV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/120308429.html|title=Instant Replay: Sheila Strike's tall tale|work=North Shore Outlook|date=April 20, 2011|author=Corben, Len|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003230754/http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/120308429.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He resided in Las Vegas during his later years.<ref name=Anderson/>
Bolla was diagnosed with cancer in August 2017. He died on the evening of October 21, 2022, at the age of 70.<ref name=Anderson/>
==Head coaching record== Sources:<ref>{{cite web|title=Lady Rebel Basketball 2015–16 Media Guide|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unlv/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/history-15.pdf|publisher=UNLV|pages=112–113, 147|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816032507/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unlv/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/history-15.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hawaiiathletics.com.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/2013/12/19/2013-14_media_guide.pdf|title=Coaching history|work=Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Basketball 2013–14 Media Guide|publisher=University of Hawaii|year=2013|page=60}}</ref> {{CBB yearly record start | type =coach | conference = | postseason= }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name =UNLV Lady Rebels | conference=NCAA Division I independent | startyear =1982 | endyear =1983 }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1982–83 | name = UNLV | overall = 24–4 | conference = | confstanding = | postseason = }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name =UNLV Lady Rebels | conference=Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West Conference | startyear =1983 | endyear =1996 }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = confboth | season = 1983–84 | name = UNLV | overall = 24–7 | conference = 4–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = NCAA First Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = confboth | season = 1984–85 | name = UNLV | overall = 26–5 | conference = 8–0 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = NCAA First Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = conference tournament | season = 1985–86 | name = UNLV | overall = 22–9 | conference = 11–3 | confstanding = 2nd | postseason = NCAA First Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1986–87 | name = UNLV | overall = 21–9 | conference = 13–5 | confstanding = T–2nd | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1987–88 | name = UNLV | overall = 25–9 | conference = 14–4 | confstanding = 2nd | postseason = NWIT Third Place }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1988–89 | name = UNLV | overall = 27–7 | conference = 13–5 | confstanding = T–2nd | postseason = NCAA Sweet 16 }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = confboth | season = 1989–90 | name = UNLV | overall = 28–3 | conference = 17–1 | confstanding = 1st | postseason = NCAA First Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = conference | season = 1990–91 | name = UNLV | overall = 25–7 | conference = 15–3 | confstanding = T–1st | postseason = NCAA Second Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1991–92 | name = UNLV | overall = 16–10 | conference = 13–5 | confstanding = T–2nd | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1992–93 | name = UNLV | overall = 24–7 | conference = 15–3 | confstanding = 2nd | postseason = NWIT Consolation }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = conference tournament | season = 1993–94 | name = UNLV | overall = 23–7 | conference = 14–4 | confstanding = T–2nd | postseason = NCAA First Round }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1994–95 | name = UNLV | overall = 11–15 | conference = 10–8 | confstanding = T–5th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 1995–96 | name = UNLV | overall = 4–21 | conference = 3–15 | confstanding = T–9th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record subtotal | name = UNLV | overall = 300–120 ({{winpct|300|120}}) | confrecord = 100–56 ({{winpct|100|56}}) }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name =Hawaii Rainbow Wahine | conference=Western Athletic Conference | startyear =2004 | endyear =2009 }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 2004–05 | name = Hawaii | overall = 11–15 | conference = 7–11 | confstanding = 7th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 2005–06 | name = Hawaii | overall = 18–10 | conference = 9–7 | confstanding = 3rd | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 2006–07 | name = Hawaii | overall = 15–14 | conference = 9–7 | confstanding = T–4th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 2007–08 | name = Hawaii | overall = 12–18 | conference = 6–10 | confstanding = 6th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record entry | championship = | season = 2008–09 | name = Hawaii | overall = 8–23 | conference = 4–12 | confstanding = 8th | postseason = }} {{CBB yearly record subtotal | name = Hawaii | overall = 64–80 ({{winpct|64|80}}) | confrecord = 35–47 ({{winpct|35|47}}) }} {{CBB yearly record end | overall = 364–200 ({{winpct|364|200}}) }}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Twitter|coachbolla52}} *[https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/jim-bolla/490 Hawaii bio]
{{UNLV Lady Rebels basketball coach navbox}} {{Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball coach navbox}}{{Big West Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolla, Jim}} Category:1952 births Category:2022 deaths Category:American men's basketball players Category:American sports radio personalities Category:American women's basketball coaches Category:Basketball players from Pittsburgh Category:Centers (basketball) Category:Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball coaches Category:Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball coaches Category:Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball players Category:Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball coaches Category:UNLV Lady Rebels basketball coaches Category:20th-century American sportsmen