Alabama dismisses baseball coach amidst sports betting scandal
In a shocking turn of events, the University of Alabama has terminated the contract of its head baseball coach, Brad Bohannon, following an investigation into suspicious wagering activity on the team's games. The investigation, which began during the 2023 NCAA baseball season, uncovered evidence that Coach Bohannon provided inside information to an individual connected to betting on the games.
The investigation was initiated when unusual betting patterns were detected during a game against LSU, particularly around the team's 8-6 loss to No. 1 LSU on April 28. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), which oversees sports betting in Ohio, played a pivotal role in flagging the suspicious wagers and halting betting on Alabama baseball.
Several sportsbooks, including FanDuel, BetRivers, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings, have removed Alabama baseball betting markets from their platforms. Interestingly, bet365 still has Alabama (+15000) included in its national championship futures market.
The NCAA, MLB, and Ohio regulators have been working together to investigate the case, with betting integrity firms continuously monitoring betting patterns to detect red flags like unusually high bets or clustered bets on specific plays. The suspicious wagering activity took place primarily at the BetMGM Sportsbook at the Great American Ballpark.
As the investigation continues, the SEC has made it clear that it has a zero-tolerance policy for activity that puts into question the integrity of competition. The SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey, has shared a statement regarding Coach Bohannon's firing, expressing concern over the matter.
Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach for the University of Alabama's baseball team. The team's home matchup with SEC foe Vanderbilt is not among the DraftKings' moneyline wagers for a few Thursday games.
An NCAA spokesperson stated that they are "monitoring the situation" and are committed to the protection of student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition. As of Wednesday evening, Louisiana was still allowing wagers on Alabama's games, but the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board have instructed sportsbook operators to stop accepting wagers on Alabama baseball games.
Alabama is not available in the futures market to win the College World Series on FanDuel. The SEC has yet to announce any further disciplinary actions against the university or its athletic programme. This developing story will continue to be monitored closely.
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