The NCAA has banned former Alabama Crimson Tide baseball head coach Brad Bohannon from coaching for 15 years for violating the association’s gambling and ethical conduct rules.
Bohannon knowingly provided “insider information to individuals he knew were involved in betting on Alabama baseball games” under an agreement announced by the Division I Commission’s Violations Hearing Committee. It turned out that it did.
According to ESPN, the man was Indiana businessman Bart Eugene Neff Jr.
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Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon sits on the bench before his team’s game against Texas A&M on April 3, 2022 at Sewell Thomas Stadium. (Imagination)
The University of Alabama fired Bohannon in May 2023 following an investigation into suspicious gambling activity related to a game against LSU in late April of that year.
The NCAA said the violations on Bohannon’s part occurred when Alabama and “enforcement officials” used an encrypted messaging app to communicate with Neff to provide inside information about sports betting. It was confirmed that it was agreed.
Bohannon informed the opposing team about the starting lineup, and the email said, “(The student-athlete) is definitely out. Please let me know when I can tell (the opposing team)…Hurry.”
Former Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon implicated in suspicious gambling activity via video surveillance: Report
The person tried to bet $100,000 on the Alabama game at BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, but the sportsbook limited him to just $15,000. He was denied further attempts to place bets on the game due to suspicious activity.
After Bohannon was fired, the NCAA also found him in violation of his failure to cooperate with the association’s investigation, leading to further disciplinary action. Bohannon did not participate in the interrogation, did not disclose information relevant to the investigation, and did not provide any electronic equipment to further the investigation.
Bohannon and Neff were banned from Ohio State’s sportsbooks following a gambling scandal, according to ESPN.
Alabama head coaches Brad Bohannon and Jim Jarvis speak during the Auburn Tigers game at Sewell Thomas Stadium. (Imagination)
“The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to NCAA members, and the committee is deeply troubled by Bohannon’s unethical conduct,” said Big East Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer and the committee’s chief hearing officer. explained Vince Nicatoro. “Coaches, student-athletes and administrators will have access to information that we believe will be valuable to those involved in betting.
“Inappropriate sharing of that information for sports betting purposes violates the core of the integrity and sportsmanship we expect from our members, especially by those with the ability to influence the outcome of games. It would be terrible if it were shared.”
After reviewing the investigation report, Alabama was given a Level I reduced penalty and Bohannon was given a Level I aggravated penalty.
He will receive a “15-year suspension order” that “employing member institutions shall restrict Bohannon from athletic-related positions.”
The NCAA said that if he is employed for 15 years, he will be “suspended for 100 percent of baseball’s regular season for the first five seasons of his employment.”
Alabama also sentenced him to three years or probation and a $5,000 fine. It also requires comprehensive gambling education for student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon watches the Crimson Tide play against Auburn at Sewell Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa on April 14, 2023. (Imagination)
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Because the matter went through a negotiated resolution process rather than a formal hearing, both the university and enforcement officials agreed to the penalty, which cannot be appealed.
