This story has been updated to include a statement from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, in addition to context and supporting information surrounding the bets.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head baseball coach Brad Bohannon has been fired, according to an email sent out by the school Thursday morning.
Per the email, Alabama AD Greg Byrne is terminating Bohannon for “among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees.”
The sudden firing comes just days after an ESPN report that Ohio’s Gambling Commission halted any sports betting on games involving the Crimson Tide for “suspicious wagering activity” during the series finale of the LSU series. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the sportsbook FanDuel also banned betting on the Tide baseball program.
ESPN reported that the wagers took place at the BetMGM sportsbook at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Rollie Johns, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control, told NOLA.com that two suspicious bets were placed: one on a parlay that included the LSU-Alabama game and a straight money line bet. Both bets had Alabama losing the game.
ESPN later reported that “sportsbook surveillance video indicated that the person who placed the bets was communicating with Bohannon at the time,” according to multiple inside sources.
Alabama has declined to comment, stating an ongoing review.
“The University of Alabama has taken swift action after information about baseball sports wagering activity was questioned by industry regulators,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement on Thursday.
“There must be zero tolerance for activity that puts into question the integrity of competition. We will remain in contact with the University throughout its ongoing review and will have no further comment at this time.”
Assistant coach Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach.
Alabama begins its home series against Vanderbilt Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT.
This is a developing story.
Follow Nicholas Pursley on Twitter @nicholaspursley.
