Jim Boeheim Changes Tone, Apologizes For Initial Comments On Bernie Fine Scandal

Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim sounded a dramatically different tone regarding the child molestation scandal swirling around former assistant coach Bernie Fine following the team's win over Florida on Friday, according to Matt Norlander of CBSSports.com.

When the allegations against Fine first surfaced, Boeheim threw his full support behind his longtime assistant; he has since distanced himself from that, but Boeheim's postgame comments on Friday represented a new level of contrition.

"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made," Boeheim said, according to a series of tweets from Norlander (1, 2).  "I shouldn't have questioned what the accusers expressed/their motives. I'm really sorry I did that and regret any harm I caused. It was insensitive to (ppl) involved."

Norlander, along with WTVH news anchor Michael Benny and several others tweeting from the postgame presser, painted a picture of a coach who was sincere in his changed opinion, and who had been swayed as more information came to light in the case.

"What i said last week was out of loyalty," Boeheim said, according to Norlander. "I reacted without thinking. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."