Syracuse's Jim Boeheim Says Bernie Fine's Accusers Are Out For Money

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim adamantly defended his longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine against the child molesting allegations that have emerged from two former Orangemen ball boys, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard.

According to Boeheim, one of the most respected head coaches in college basketball, the accusers are lying:

"This is alleged to have occurred ... what?” Boeheim told the Post-Standard Thursday. “Twenty years ago? Am I in the right neighborhood? It might be 26 years ago? So, we are supposed to what? Stop the presses 26 years later? For a false allegation? For what I absolutely believe is a false allegation? I know he's lying about me seeing him in his hotel room. That's a lie. If he's going to tell one lie, I'm sure there's a few more of them.”

When asked what motivation the accusers would have to lie about the allegations, Boeheim told the Post-Standard that they were doing it for a potential financial gain:

“Here's why,” Boeheim said. “The Penn State thing came out and the kid behind this is trying to get money. He's tried before. And now he's trying again. If he gets this, he's going to sue the university and Bernie. What do you think is going to happen at Penn State? You know how much money is going to be involved in civil suits? I'd say about $50 million. That's what this is about. Money.”

reportedly conducted an investigation