As news trickles in about the alleged sexual abuse investigation surrounding long-time Syracuse University men's basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine, who has been placed on administrative leave, the Orange's head coach, Jim Boeheim, a long-time friend and co-worker of Fine, is reacting strongly to the accusations.
"There's absolutely no way that I believe any of this could possibly have happened," Boeheim told New York Times writer Pete Thamel Thursday night. "That's the bottom line."
Boeheim continued to support Fine in this statement (via Brent Axe):
"I have known Bernie Fine for more than 40 years. I have never seen or witnessed anything to suggest that he would be involved in any of the activities alleged. Had I seen or suspected anything, I would have taken action. Bernie has my full support."
Boeheim, in an updated version of the ESPN.com story, continued to strongly support his assistant coach:
"I know this kid, but I never saw him in any rooms or anything," Boeheim told ESPN. "It is a bunch of a thousand lies that he has told. You don't think it is a little funny that his cousin (relative) is coming forward?
"He supplied four names to the university that would corroborate his story. None of them did ... there is only one side to this story. He is lying."
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