Jim Boeheim Must Be Fired for Words, Inaction in Wake of Bernie Fine Scandal

It’s time for Syracuse to find a new basketball coach.

Jim Boeheim’s big mistake in this increasingly volatile Bernie Fine scandal was taking too hard of a stance against the accusers.

Sure it’s human nature to defend a friend that you have known for the past 50 years, but you can’t go in front of a microphone and denounce the accusers like that, not when they are alleging something as serious as child molestation. Especially not after the Penn State nightmare that has completely rocked the world of collegiate athletics in the past month.  

So when Boeheim used words like “liars” and “extortionists” to describe the accusers, he had crossed a serious line and there was no going back. That was a week ago, before Fine had been fired. CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell talks about the severity of Boeheim’s ill-advised statements now that the case against Fine is really heating up:

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When Boeheim vigorously defended Bernie Fine, who was fired on Sunday night, he wasn't speaking for the university, he was speaking as a lone wolf and no employee, especially in his position, has the right to speak from a personal pulpit ignoring his responsibility to the institution that signs his checks. It stunk just like Joe Paterno's statement when he told the Board of Trustees not to spend a minute discussing his future.

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Upon hearing the news of Fine’s dismissal, Boeheim issued a statement that sounded like a lawyer had written it. Clearly he was merely trying to save himself and I don’t think he did enough…just like Joe Paterno.

Syracuse chancellor Nancy Cantor doesn’t want to get taken down the way Graham Spanier did at Penn State and is going to reside on the side of caution more than saving Boeheim’s legacy.

As more details emerge, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Boeheim isn’t fired. He showed no concern for the potential victims in this case and was strictly focused on having his buddy's name cleared. He will get his pink slip at the first proof of negligence on Boeheim’s behalf and evidence is still leaking out.

Will Boeheim be the coach of Syracuse next Monday?

It’s not looking good.