(AP) - Syracuse men's basketball coach JimBoeheim says that "what happened on my watch" will berevealed once police complete their inquiry into child molestationaccusations against his former longtime assistant.
In his first comments since longtime assistant Bernie Fine wasfired, Boeheim says he has "never worried about my job status in36 years." Then he added: "I do my job. What happened on mywatch, we will see. When the investigation is done, we will findout what happened on my watch.
Advocates for sex abuse victims said Boeheim should resign or befired for adamantly defending Fine and verbally disparaging twoformer Syracuse ballboys who accused Fine of molesting them.
He said he didn't regret backing Fine when the allegations werefirst made public. Having known Fine for 48 years, Boeheim said hewas just trying to be loyal to him.
Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor has given Boeheim avote of confidence.
Boeheim was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd of16,649 at the Carrier Dome where the fourth-ranked Orange wallopedEastern Michigan 84-48. James Southerland scored 19 points to matchhis career high as the Orange improved their record to 7-0.