Coolen contract extension in the works

With a break in the Rainbow Wahine schedule, Matlin said he met this week with Coolen — whose current deal expires this summer — to discuss a multi-year contract.

“I think the intentions on both sides are there so we just have to get some details ironed out and go from there,” Matlin said.

Coolen’s previous extension, agreed upon in 2013, raised his pay to $112,008 and runs through June.

The Rainbow Wahine are off to a 21-10 start in Coolen’s 26th year as UH head coach. He reached the 1,000-win mark for his career, which began with a five-year stint at Bentley College, with UH’s 7-0 victory over Charleston Southern on March 4.

He’s 58 victories away from reaching 1,000 in his UH career and stands at 942-558-1 in Manoa. Coolen, the second longest tenured coach in the UH athletic department, has led the program to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the Super Regional twice and the Women’s College World Series in 2010.

UH closed this season’s nonconference schedule with a six-game winning streak and won 13 of its last 15 heading into Big West play.

“He’s done a great job for a lot of years,” Matlin said. “They are playing well, on a good winning streak, and he does a good job and he’s good for the department.”

UH opens the Big West schedule with a three-game series against UC Davis starting March 31 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.