Syracuse Fires Coach in Wake of Molestation Claims

Bernie Fine's employment terminated, 'effective immediately'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 27, 2011 7:37 PM CST
Syracuse Fires Coach Bernie Fine in Wake of Molestation Investigation
Assistant coach Bernie Fine of the Syracuse Orange looks on from the sidelines during their game against the Connecticut Huskies.   (Getty Images)

Syracuse University has fired associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine in the wake of an investigation of child molestation allegations against him. "At the direction of Chancellor Cantor, Bernie Fine's employment with Syracuse University has been terminated, effective immediately," the school's senior vice president for public affairs said in a statement. The 65-year-old Fine was in his 36th season at his alma mater. He had the longest active streak of consecutive seasons at one school among assistant coaches in Division I.

Fine's firing comes in the wake of new revelations today, including a third accuser. Syracuse had placed Fine on paid administrative leave after two former Syracuse ball boys first accused Fine of molesting them; Fine has called the allegations "patently false." Zach Tomaselli, 23, said today that he told police that Fine molested him in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room. Click for more on Tomaselli's claims—and some questions about his credibility. (More Bernie Fine stories.)

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