Bernie Fine finds work with an Israeli pro team

Of the many bizarre headlines the Bernie Fine saga has produced since two ex-ball boys accused the former Syracuse assistant of molesting them, this next one may be the most unlikely of all of them.

Fine has found work again in basketball.

Maccabi Haifa, an Israeli pro team owned by Florida-based businessman Jeffrey Rosen, announced Thursday it has hired Fine as a basketball consultant to the team. Fine will do his consulting from the U.S., but will assist on player-personnel decisions as well as the team's upcoming coaching search.

The press release issued by Maccabi Haifa on Thursday morning, of course, makes no mention of the accusations that derailed Fine's career.

Fine worked for Syracuse for 36 seasons before he was fired in November once the former ball boys made their accusations and a recorded conversation between one of the ball boys, Bobby Davis, and Fine's wife also went public. Laurie Fine appeared to suggest on the recording that she knew her husband had molested Davis.

Since Fine has denied any wrongdoing and no charges have been filed, there's certainly nothing unlawful about Maccabi Haifa hiring him, especially since he will be remaining in the U.S. to do his work. Still considering the pool of out-of-work basketball coaches who aren't under federal investigation right now, it seems like the team might have been better off hiring someone else.