Ex-Alabama Baseball Coach Brad Bohannon Gets 15-Year NCAA Penalty for Betting Scandal

Former Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon has received a 15-year show-cause order from the NCAA stemming from his involvement in a betting scandal.

Per an official release from the NCAA, the Committee on Infractions announced discipline against Bohannon and the university on Thursday.

The committee determined Bohannon "knowingly provided insider information" to a person he knew was involved with betting on an Alabama baseball game. His also further violated NCAA rules when he "failed to participate in the enforcement investigation" after he was fired by Alabama.

Bohannon's show-cause order requires him to be suspended for 100 percent of regular-season games for the first five years of his employment if he gets hired by any program. He also received a $5,000 fine and three years of probation.

The findings discovered that Bohannon texted the bettor on April 28, 2023, informing the person an Alabama pitcher wasn't going to be able to make a scheduled start against LSU and instructed the bettor to "hurry" with the bet so he could inform the opponent.

The bettor attempted to place a $100,000 wager on LSU at the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, but the staff limited his bet to $15,000 and attempts to place additional wagers were rejected due to "suspicious activity."

A key part of the suspicious activity, per the NCAA's findings, was the bettor showing the text messages from Bohannon to the sportsbook staff about Alabama's pitcher being scratched and before LSU was informed of the change.

Ohio gambling regulators instructed licensed sportsbooks in the state to halt all wagers on Alabama baseball games after becoming aware of suspicious activity following a report from an independent integrity monitor.

Ronnie Johns, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, told Zach Ewing of NOLA.com there were two bets made that triggered the suspicious activity, including a parlay and straight-up money bet.

After Bohannon was mentioned in connection with the situation, Alabama announced on May 4 it had initiated the termination process for the 48-year-old.

ESPN's David Purdum noted Alabama's best pitcher, Luke Holman, was scheduled to pitch the game against LSU before being scratched due to back tightness. Hagan Banks stepped into his spot after not starting a game since March 16.

Bohannon was originally hired by the Crimson Tide in June 2017. He went 166-124 with one NCAA tournament appearance in six seasons with the program before getting fired.