Former Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon provided inside information to a person who used the knowledge to bet on a Crimson Tide baseball game, violating NCAA wagering and ethical conduct rules, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions hearing panel announced Thursday.
Bohannon was fired by Alabama on May 4, 2023, and subsequently declined to take part in the enforcement investigation, also a violation of NCAA regulations.
As a result, Bohannon, 48, was tagged with a 15-year show-cause order, the NCAA committee said. During that time, if he is hired by an NCAA member institution, he cannot work in a job related to athletics. He also will be suspended for the entire baseball season during the first five years of employment.
The university was placed on three’ years NCAA probation, fined $5,000 and ordered to provide a comprehensive gambling-education program to athletes, coaches and administrators in the athletic department.
The NCAA said Alabama and the enforcement staff came to learn that Bohannon shared insider information with a known sports gambler about his lineup.
The game in question took place April 28, 2023, when Alabama played LSU and Bohannon was set to pull his starting pitcher before the game due to injury.
“(Student-athlete) is out for sure … Lemme know when I can tell (the opposing team) … Hurry,” the NCAA said he texted to the gambler through an encrypted messaging app.
When the bettor tried to place a $100,000 wager on the game, staff at an Ohio sportsbook would allow only a $15,000 bet. He wasn’t allowed to place additional bets because the staff flagged him for suspicious activity.
The alleged bettor has been identified as Bert Neff of Indiana. On Wednesday, he was charged with destroying evidence, witness tampering and giving false statements to the FBI.
“Integrity of games is of the utmost importance to NCAA members, and the panel is deeply troubled by Bohannon’s unethical behavior,” said Vince Nicastro, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the Big East and chief hearing officer for the panel. “Coaches, student-athletes and administrators have access to information deemed valuable to those involved in betting. Improperly sharing that information for purposes of sports betting cuts to the heart of the honesty and sportsmanship we expect of our members and is particularly egregious when shared by those who have the ability to influence the outcome of games.”
Bohannon was hired at Alabama on June 5, 2018, and had a 166-124 overall record, but only 48-91 in Southeastern Conference action.
–Field Level Media
