Former Canada's coach Leo Rautins has come to the defence of Syracuse assistant basketball coach Brenie Fine. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)Martin Mejia/The Associated Press
Former Canadian national team coach Leo Rautins isn't buying allegations of child molestation against Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine.
Fine was placed on administrative leave Thursday after old child molesting allegations resurfaced, just two weeks after a child sex abuse scandal rocked Penn State.
Rautins' son Andy, a guard on Canada's national team, played at Syracuse from 2005 to 2010. Rautins himself played for the Orange from 1980 to 1983.
"Bernie is an honest and generous man who has been very good to me and my son. . . and many others," Rautins said in an e-mail to The Canadian Press. "All allegations to this point have not been substantiated after previous investigations."
Fine, who has denied allegations, is in his 35th season as a Syracuse assistant.
ESPN reported the accusations against Fine were made by two former ball boys. The alleged activity took place in the 1980s and 1990s.