Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon after it was discovered he was connected to betting activity in Ohio regarding the LSU-Alabama game on Friday, two people briefed on the investigation said. . Athleticism.
The university announced on Thursday that Bohannon was fired for “violating the standards, duties and responsibilities expected of university employees.” A person familiar with the investigation said there was no evidence athletes were involved.
According to a statement released by the school, athletic director Greg Byrne has initiated the termination process, and Alabama will not provide further comment due to an “ongoing review.”
Bohannon’s dismissal comes days after a report that Ohio gambling regulators ordered sportsbooks to halt betting on Alabama baseball games. ESPN obtained the text of an emergency order sent to Ohio sportsbooks regarding “suspicious betting activity” during last Friday’s game against LSU, and NOLA.com later reported that two suspicious bets were placed. in Cincinnati, both involving the victory of LSU, had triggered the alert.
Ronnie Johns, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, said his organization received an email over the weekend from US Integrity alerting it to a big bet placed on the Alabama-LSU game. Johns said his organization verified that no one at LSU was involved and found no evidence that anyone with the Tigers played a role.
Johns said it’s critical that when suspicious bets are placed, regulators and teams act quickly. “The system worked,” Johns said. “We need to protect the integrity of sports betting or the system will crater.”
On Wednesday, New Jersey sports betting joined Ohio in banning all betting on Alabama baseball games. On Thursday morning, Pennsylvania Sportsbook also banned betting on Alabama baseball games.
The game in question was the first of a three-game series in Baton Rouge between Alabama and LSU, the consensus No. 1 team in the nation. A few hours before the start of the game, Alabama scratched projected starting pitcher Luke Holman due to back strain and started right-hander Hagan Banks in his place. The Crimson Tide trailed 8-1 after seven innings and rallied with five runs in the last two frames, but third baseman Colby Shelton struck out with runners at first and second to secure an 8-loss. 6. LSU was a heavy favorite in the game.
Alabama has posted winning seasons in each of the past five seasons under Bohannon and was 30-15 this season and 9-12 in SEC play, tied for third in SEC West. The Crimson Tide is set to host Vanderbilt on Thursday night.
Pitching coach Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach.
“The University of Alabama has taken swift action after reports of baseball sports betting activity were questioned by industry regulators,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. , in a statement Thursday afternoon. “Ensuring the integrity of sports competition is our top priority, and to that end, the SEC has been monitoring gaming activity through its relationship with US Integrity since 2018.
“There must be zero tolerance for activities that call into question the integrity of competition. We will remain in communication with the University throughout its ongoing review and have no further comment at this time.
(Photo: Jonathan Mailhes/Cal Sport Media via AP Images)