After striking and killing a man with his car in a tragic accident in Syracuse, N.Y., Wednesday night, Jim Boeheim won't miss this weekend's Duke game on the sideline.
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack announced in a statement Friday afternoon that the Orange's head coach will return to practice Friday and coach his team's home game against the Blue Devils. Boeheim swerved to avoid pedestrian Jorge Jimenez's wrecked car in the middle of the highway while he was driving Wednesday, but didn't see Jimenez standing next to the car.
"The Jimenez family has suffered a tremendous loss. Our community is shaken. The Boeheim family is heartbroken over what happened, as we all are. This is a very difficult time," Wildhack said in the statement. "I know that Coach Boeheim's players gain strength from him, just as he gains strength from his players. Our entire community gains strength from each other.
"With this in mind, and after thoughtful consideration, I have respectfully decided that Coach Boeheim will resume his coaching duties later today and will coach tomorrow night's game against Duke. We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family as they continue to mourn this tragic loss."
Boeheim immediately sought help after the accident and cooperated with law enforcement. It occurred on I-690 soon after his Syracuse team won its game against Louisville. The Syracuse Post-Standard reported Thursday that Boeheim met with his team the day after the accident but did not attend practice.
Boeheim and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski are close friends who worked together on Team USA's staff for 11 years.
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