LAFAYETTE- Following complaints of students and an athletics department staff member at the University of Louisiana at Lafaytette, the school has fired softball coach Michael Lotief, effective immediately.

In a news release Wednesday, the university says Lotief violated university and University of Louisiana System policies by allegedly subjecting student-athletes and co-workers to violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault, creating a hostile learning and working environment.

Lotief, who's been on leave since Oct. 6, joined the program in 2001 as a volunteer coach. He became co-head coach with wife, Stefni, from 2003-2012, and was named sole head coach before the 2013 season. The team went 47-8 last season, winning the Sun Belt Conference title.

Athletics director Dr. Bryan Maggard says a national search to replace him will begin immediately.