The track and field at Sewell-Thomas Baseball Stadium at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Days after wagering on University of Alabama baseball games was stopped by gaming commissions in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the school has fired head baseball coach Brad Bohannon.
A statement from the Alabama athletic department said that Bohannon was fired for “violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” the school announced Thursday.
On May 1, ESPN reported that Ohio halted wagering on Alabama games due to suspicious bets placed on the Crimson Tide’s three-game series against Louisiana State University last weekend.
A day later, NOLA.com reported that Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns said the suspicious activity was, “ …A couple of bets made in Cincinnati, Ohio,” Johns said. “One was on a parlay which involved the LSU-Alabama game, and then there was another straight-up (money line) bet. I was told it was a large bet that involved LSU-Alabama.”
The Louisiana-based outlet further noted that both bets were placed at the BetMGM sportsbook at Great American Ballpark, the home of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, and were on LSU to win. Alabama lost all three games of the series against LSU, which was played in Baton Rouge.
Pitching coach Jason Jackson will take over as head coach of the Crimson Tide, who are 30-15 this season and will face Vanderbilt at home in a three-game set this weekend.
Bohannon compiled a 166-124 record at Alabama since being named head coach for the 2018 season. The Crimson Tide had a winning record each of the last five seasons under his leadership and made the NCAA Regional in 2021 after finishing fifth in the SEC West.
In a statement Wednesday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said, “We are aware of reports related to the suspension of wagering on Alabama baseball games. We will continue to monitor available information and any regulatory activity.”
“As many states have acted to legalize sports gambling, we are reminded of the threats gambling may pose to competitive integrity,” Sankey’s statement continued. “Together with our member universities, we will continue to emphasize the importance of regulating, overseeing, and providing education related to sports gambling activity.”
