Former Alabama baseball head coach violated wagering, ethical conduct rules

Coach intentionally provided insider information to a known bettor

2/1/2024 12:00:00 PM

Media Center Meghan Durham Wright

Former Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon violated NCAA wagering and ethical conduct rules when he knowingly provided insider information to an individual he knew to be engaged in betting on an Alabama baseball game, according to an agreement released by a Division I Committee on Infractions hearing panel. After he was fired by Alabama, Bohannon failed to participate in the enforcement investigation, in further violation of NCAA rules.

The school and enforcement staff agreed that the violations in this case occurred when Bohannon communicated — via an encrypted messaging app — with an individual he knew to be engaged in sports betting activities and provided insider information about the starting lineup before notifying the opposing team. Specifically, Bohannon texted, "(Student-athlete) is out for sure … Lemme know when I can tell (the opposing team) … Hurry."

Shortly after the bettor received that information, he attempted to place a $100,000 wager on the Alabama game, but sportsbook staff limited him to a $15,000 wager and declined his attempts to place additional bets due to suspicious activity.

"Integrity of games is of the utmost importance to NCAA members, and the panel is deeply troubled by Bohannon's unethical behavior," said Vince Nicastro, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the Big East and chief hearing officer for the panel. "Coaches, student-athletes and administrators have access to information deemed valuable to those involved in betting. Improperly sharing that information for purposes of sports betting cuts to the heart of the honesty and sportsmanship we expect of our members and is particularly egregious when shared by those who have the ability to influence the outcome of games."

The school and enforcement staff also agreed that following his separation from the school, Bohannon failed to meet his obligation to cooperate with an NCAA investigation when he did not participate in an interview, did not disclose relevant information and did not provide access to electronic devices to further the enforcement staff's investigation.

This case was processed through the negotiated resolution process. The process was used instead of a formal hearing or summary disposition because the university and enforcement staff agreed on the violations and the penalties. The Division I Committee on Infractions reviewed the case to determine whether the resolution was in the best interests of the Association and whether the agreed-upon penalties were reasonable. Negotiated resolutions may not be appealed and do not set case precedent for other infractions cases.

The parties used ranges identified by the Division I membership-approved infractions penalty guidelines to agree upon Level I-mitigated penalties for the university and Level I-aggravated penalties for Bohannon. The decision contains the full list of penalties as approved by the Committee on Infractions, including:

Three years of probation.
A $5,000 fine.
A 15-year show-cause order for Bohannon. During the show-cause order, any employing member institution shall restrict Bohannon from any athletically related position. If Bohannon becomes employed during the show-cause period, he shall be suspended for 100% of the baseball regular season for the first five seasons of his employment.
Alabama will retain EPIC Global Solutions to provide a comprehensive gambling harm and student-athlete protection education program for student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators.

Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from the NCAA membership and members of the public. In addition to Nicastro, the members of the panel who reviewed this case are Jeremy Jordan, dean of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse, and Stephen Madva, attorney in private practice.

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