University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Former Pitt Player & Assistant Coach Jim Bolla Passes Away
10/22/2022 12:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Four-time letterwinner and starting center on Pitt's 1974 Elite Eight team Jim Bolla passed away Friday evening after a long illness. Bolla was a member of the Pitt Basketball program from 1971-75 as a player before serving as an assistant coach with the men's programs (1976-79) and the women's program (1979-80).
Bolla became an assistant coach with the UNLV women's team for the 1980-81 season before taking over as the head coach the following year. He went on to become the winningest coach in program history, compiling a 300-120 record and leading the team to seven NCAA Tournament appearances from 1982-96. A three-time Big West Coach of the Year, Bolla led the Rebels to four regular season titles and five conference tournament championships.
Following his coaching tenure at UNLV, Bolla moved into an administrative role and was a development director until 2001. He returned to the coaching ranks in 2004 and spent five seasons as the head coach at Hawaii.
As a player, Bolla averaged 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds over 82 career games. He played a key role in the Panthers Elite Eight run in 1974, helping the team to a school-record 22 consecutive wins and a 25-4 record overall.
Bolla became an assistant coach with the UNLV women's team for the 1980-81 season before taking over as the head coach the following year. He went on to become the winningest coach in program history, compiling a 300-120 record and leading the team to seven NCAA Tournament appearances from 1982-96. A three-time Big West Coach of the Year, Bolla led the Rebels to four regular season titles and five conference tournament championships.
Following his coaching tenure at UNLV, Bolla moved into an administrative role and was a development director until 2001. He returned to the coaching ranks in 2004 and spent five seasons as the head coach at Hawaii.
As a player, Bolla averaged 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds over 82 career games. He played a key role in the Panthers Elite Eight run in 1974, helping the team to a school-record 22 consecutive wins and a 25-4 record overall.
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