There have been some very strong feelings surrounding the Jim Boeheim debacle at Syracuse, with many blasting the longtime coach and his basketball program for repeated instances of horrendous judgment over the last decade. Included in that group is fiery ESPN personality Bill Simmons, who not only attacked Boeheim but also directed comments at college hoops analyst Dick Vitale.
Boeheim addressed the NCAA sanctions and his decision to retire in three seasons during a news conference on Thursday morning. Although he admitted fault for the situation, he also put the heavy majority of blame on others. His claims could very well be true and he actually did not know what his former director of basketball operations was doing, but some saw the remarks as arrogant and selfish, including Simmons.
The Jim Boeheim situation is high comedy. “I’m sorry we cheated so many times… as a punishment, I’m retiring 3 years from now.”
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 19, 2015
You know what high school hoop stars love more than anything? A disgraced college coach in 3-year limbo. Should work out great for Cuse.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 19, 2015
Dick Vitale just cleared it up for us – Jim Boeheim is NOT a cheater. He just trusted the wrong people. Why didn’t Nixon use this defense?
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 19, 2015
It is highly likely that Vitale and others at ESPN will not appreciate the last tweet but is it enough to warrant another suspension? Probably not.
