tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Boeheim Must Go Now!!!

Normally on Monday I would be commenting on the Browns or with the Leafs playing last night going over their contest in Anaheim. However, yesterday Syracuse University announced that they have fired long-time assistant basketball coach, Bernie Fine. The announcement of Fine's dismissal came after a nine hour search by state and federal authorities of Fine's home on Friday and a damaging recording of a phone conversation with Bobby Davis and Fine's wife where Mrs. Fine acknowledges that her husband has a problem. By the way, the Fines reside across the street from the Boeheim residence. Because of the Fine firing, I will comment on the Browns and Leafs tomorrow as a part of "Tuesday's Thoughts".

Since the news of Fine's firing, many have come out and said that this situation was different than the one at Penn State and that Jim Boeheim should not be in danger of losing his job. The Boeheim defenders will tell you that no one came to Boeheim and told him that Fine committed any acts against children. They will say that Boeheim was just being a good friend remaining loyal to his long-time assistant. But there are similarities with the Penn State scandal that resulted in Joe Paterno's firing and as a result Jim Boeheim should be fired. If he isn't there is an incredible double standard.

First, in the entire Penn State story the premise was that Joe Paterno knew everything that went on at the university. As a result, he had to have known what happened in 1998 even though Scott Paterno, Joe's son, has said that his father was not aware of the 1998 incident. Jim Boeheim's status on the Syracuse campus is similar to that of JoePa's. Boeheim, by his own admission, knew that there were internal investigations by the University going back to 2002. Yet, it was determined that the word of a long-time Boeheim assistant carried more weight than a ball boy.

Second, the 1998 Penn State incident was turned over to State College police and based upon their investigation the district attorney's office did not indict Jerry Sandusky. There were some in the media who believed that Penn State, and Paterno in particular, applied pressure to make sure there was not an indictment. Last week, the Onondaga County District Attorney called into question the 2002 investigation conducted by the Syracuse Police Department pertaining to the sex abuse allegations against Fine. The district attorney's office has had to subpoena 2002 police department records and the state and federal authorities are now involved. Did the University, and Boeheim in particular, apply pressure on the Syracuse Police Department??

Thirdly, in the Penn State scandal Paterno was slammed for his supposed indifference to the victims. Many made the point over and over that he didn't even know the name of the kid involved in the 2002 incident that McQueary told him about. When the Fine story first became public, Jim Boeheim not only stood by his friend he also slammed the two victims. He said they were trying to get money in a settlement and called them both liars. Boeheim knew their names but couldn't give a damn less about their feelings. Where was the concern for the victims???

Joe Paterno was fired as a result of the Penn State Board of Trustees not being able to withstand the incredible media heat they were feeling. They agreed with those that said that Paterno should have done more than just report what McQueary told him. What's interesting is that Paterno testified in the grand jury that McQueary told him that something was going on in the shower between Sandusky and a young boy. Under oath, Paterno stated that McQueary never told him that Sandusky was raping the boy. Paterno's testimony was deemed as credible and he was not charged with perjury as was Curley and Schultz. Yet, he was still fired because he should have done more.

Jim Boeheim is to get a pass according to many in the media. He was just being loyal to a friend. Really. He hired Bernie Fine. He has worked with him since the mid-70's. They live across the street from each other. It is apparent that the allegations agaiinst Fine were known by many in the Syracuse community. Are you telling me that Boeheim didn't know anything?? Boeheim probably spent as much time with Bernie Fine as Laurie Fine has spent with her husband. She knew her husband had a problem. You mean to tell me that Boeheim didn't know his long-time trusted assistant didn't have a problem???

The media pounced on the Penn State story with both feet. There was an immediate call for Paterno's dismissal. Not hearing that now about Boeheim. Of course, there are more Syracuse alums from the Newhouse School of Broadcasting in the media than there are from Penn State. Boeheim has been the basketball coach during many of these alums years at SU. He was an imposing figure at a school where basketball is king. It must be awfully hard to believe that this happening to their beloved basketball program. But the fact remains that if you were calling for Paterno's head, then you must be looking for Boeheim to be fired. To do otherwise would be a double standard. If Jim Boeheim was smart he would resign now. He probably won't. I'm sure he thinks he will ride this out.