Time up for Boeheim?

Matt’s Take:

Jim Boeheim is one of the best coaches in the history of college basketball, but after a scathing report was issued last week, his legacy has been tainted.

The longtime Syracuse basketball coach saw the NCAA strike with a heavy hammer, as the school was charged with a wide array of violations, including academic misconduct, impermissible academic assistance and service, failure to follow drug testing policies, and improper booster activities.

The violations, which were self-reported by the school, date back more than a decade. The biggest blow, in my opinion, was the charge that Boeheim failed to “promote an atmosphere of compliance and monitor his staff,” as well as the school’s overall “lack of control over its athletics programs.”

Ultimately, the school was put on five years of probation and vacated all of the wins in which ineligible men’s basketball players were part of during the 2004-2007 seasons and the 2010-2012 seasons. This also includes football games from 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Sure, the NCAA suspended Boeheim for the first nine games of the ACC season next year, but that’s not enough.

I’ve read about many coaches being fired for far less than what the NCAA has ruled against Boeheim and the Orangeman. It’s time for the powers that be to stop letting coaches and universities get away with infraction after infraction.

Remember, this is Boeheim’s second post-season ban at Syracuse. Most coaches don’t survive one, but apparently it’s different for Boeheim, unless the school takes action.

It’s not going to happen, unfortunately. If the Syracuse brass fails to nudge Boeheim into “retirement,” they’ve failed as an organization.

But, this is big time college basketball, so don’t expect them to do the right thing.

Andrew’s Take:

Fifty three years is too long, when you live in Syracuse, NY.

Jim Boeheim got to Syracuse in 1962, as a student-athlete, and he never left.

After more than half-a-century and one national championship, I’d say he’s accomplished enough to retire. It seems like all that’s left is to become the winningest coach of all time, which means coaching two more seasons than Mike Krzyzewski.

But that goal has been pushed out of reach.

After a self-imposed post-season ban, Syracuse received punishment last week for years of NCAA violations. Their sanctions include five years of probation and the vacation of over 100 wins.

If you want a preview of what’s to come for the Kentucky Wildcats, pay attention to the Syracuse Orange.

As a collegiate football or men’s basketball program, at this point, why would you want to win a championship? You’re just inviting scrutiny.

Everyone is cheating, to some extent, and there is a direct correlation between cheating and winning. The more you cheat, the more you win, until those wins are vacated. You almost have to assume that any championship is temporary.

I’m not defending dishonesty. I’m just not surprised. The NCAA commands no respect, at all, so I’m not shocked when athletic programs disregard their rules.

Runner-ups still get paid for the game. If you anything about boxing, you know that plenty of fighters go into matches, knowing they’re going to lose. And they laugh all the way to the bank.

Why not just create a “second place” culture in your institution?

Boeheim claims that he’s, “not going anywhere,” and that’s the right move. Before the sanctions, he was overdue for retirement. But now, he has to endure the hardship he brought upon the program that he built.

When Boeheim finally leaves, Syracuse basketball should be perfectly gift-wrapped.