Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim (C), along with assistant coach Bernie Fine (L), watch the final seconds of the NCAA basketball game against Villanova run down in Philadelphia in this file image from January 21, 2006. A long-time assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University, Fine was put on administrative leave on November 17, 2011 after police reopened an investigation of alleged inappropriate behavior with a ball boy. Fine, in his 35th season with Syracuse, was placed on leave "in light of the new allegations and the Syracuse City Police investigation, " said Peter Englot, associate vice president of public affairs at Syracuse. The allegations were first reported in 2005. REUTERS/Bradley C BowerBradley C Bower/Reuters
Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim does not plan to quit despite calls for his resignation, ESPN.com reported Monday, citing a source close to the situation.
Boeheim has not made any public comment regarding the dismissal of long-time assistant Bernie Fine, who is under investigation for child molestation allegations. There have been suggestions Boeheim should resign, partly because of comments he made last week that were deemed insensitive to the alleged victims.
However, Boeheim apparently will stay on.
"He's not going to resign," the source told ESPN.com. "He's like (UConn's Jim) Calhoun -- old warriors. He'll get through this."
University spokesperson Kevin Quinn declined to comment to ESPN.com about whether Boeheim's job is in jeopardy.
A source told ESPN.com Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins is scheduled to succeed Boeheim as head coach whenever Boeheim desides to retire as Syracuse's coach. This is the result of a contract approved by the board of trustees two years ago.
Boeheim had been critical of the accusers last week, calling them liars and saying the allegations were all based on money, but he has softened his stance since.
The Rev. Robert Hoatson, president of Road to Recovery, a group that supports victims of sexual abuse, supported the firing of Fine, but said more action was needed.
"I think Jim Boeheim should be fired or resign as well," Hoatson said Monday. "These boys were members of the basketball program. Jim Boeheim's responsibility is to oversee that program, and the children were not safe on his watch."