One Day To Tipoff: Everything Is "Fine"
11/13/2002 9:20:07 AM | Men's Basketball
by Mike Morrison
A 1967 Syracuse alumnus, Fine has been associated with Orangemen basketball for 31 years -- dating back to his years as the team's manager from 1963-67. After coaching stints at Lincoln Junior High and nearby Henninger High School, Fine returned SU as an assistant coach in 1976 when Boeheim became head coach.
Fine currently has the longest consecutive-season tenure of any Division I assistant as he heads into his 27th season at Syracuse. In 2000, as a reward for his longevity and loyalty to the program, Fine was promoted to associate head coach.
Over the years he has developed a reputation for finding and developing big men. Fine has mentored former SU greats and NBA stars Derrick Coleman, Rony Seikaly and Danny Schayes. More recently he helped develop Etan Thomas into the top-shot blocker in school history and a two-time BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Fine's most current project is overseeing the development of sophomore center Craig Forth. His tutelage is already paying off. Forth started all 36 games for the Orange last season and led the team in blocks with 65.
Fine and the Orangemen tip-off their season against the Memphis Tigers in the AT&T Wireless Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on November 14 at Madison Square Garden. Syracuse's first home game will be November 24th against Valparaiso.
