Alabama Fires Coach Brad Bohannon

Image credit: Brad Bohannon (Courtesy Alabama athletics)

Alabama on Thursday announced it has fired coach Brad Bohannon.

In a statement, the athletics department said decision was “for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees.” Multiple outlets, including ESPN and The Athletic, reported that the dismissal stemmed from an investigation that found Bohannon to be connected with gambling in Ohio concerning last Friday’s game between LSU and Alabama. There has been no indication any players were involved.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Thursday released a statement about the situation.

“The University of Alabama has taken swift action after information about baseball sports wagering activity was questioned by industry regulators,” he said. “Ensuring the integrity of athletic competition is our highest priority, and for that purpose the SEC monitors gambling activity through its relationship with US Integrity and has done so since 2018.

“There must be zero tolerance for activity that puts into question the integrity of competition.”

 

Gambling regulators this week in Ohio and later in New Jersey and Pennsylvania removed Crimson Tide baseball from sportsbooks due to suspicious wagering activity on last Friday’s game at LSU. Alabama’s announced starter Luke Holman was scratched about an hour before first pitch Friday due to back tightness. LSU, which was heavily favored Friday, went on to win the game, 8-6.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board earlier this week told NOLA.com that two bets made in Cincinnati triggered the suspicious activity alert.

“One was on a parlay which involved the LSU-Alabama game, and then there was another straight-up (money line) bet,” said Ronnie Johns, chairman of the board. “I was told it was a large bet that involved LSU-Alabama.”

Alabama is 30-15 and 9-15 in SEC play and in the mix to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. Bohannon was in his sixth season at the program’s helm and went 166-124 and 48-91 in SEC play.

Pitching coach Jason Jackson was named interim head coach. Alabama this weekend plays No. 3 Vanderbilt.