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The Rebels will close out their regular season on the road against the Crimson Tide with interim coach Jason Jackson at the helm.
The University of Alabama announced the firing of baseball coach Brad Bohannon five days after suspicious wagering was detected on the Crimson Tide’s game at LSU.
“Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne announced he has initiated the termination process for head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” a statement from the school’s athletic department said.
Bohannon has been the subject of controversy throughout the 2023 regular season. Prior to the betting scandal occurred, it was reported that Bohannon was named in a lawsuit against himself and two assistants for alleged mistreatment.
The alleged suspicious activity began Friday at the sportsbook at the Great American Ball Park, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. According to the OCCC investigation, the controversy was centered on two bets on the Tigers to win from the same unidentified customer.
U.S. Integrity, an independent integrity firm based in Las Vegas which works with the OCCC and the SEC to monitor the betting market, alerted the OCCC on the alleged activity. The OCCC suspended betting against Alabama Monday following the Tigers’ series sweep.
A source close to the investigation told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that there’s “no reason to believe any student-athletes are involved.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday that the conference would also conduct a separate internal league investigation.
“We are aware of reports related to the suspension of wagering Alabama baseball games,” Sankey said. “We will continue to monitor available information and any regulatory activity. As many states have acted to legalize sports gambling, we are reminded of the threats gambling may pose to competitive integrity. Together with our member universities, we will continue to emphasize the importance of regulating, overseeing, and providing education related to sports gambling activity.”
The Crimson Tide (30-15, 9-12 SEC) will begin a three-game series against Vanderbilt at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa at 7 p.m. Pitching coach Jason Jackson will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the regular season.
Bohannon was named Alabama’s head coach in 2017 after stints with Kentucky and Auburn as an assistant. He served six seasons as the Crimson Tide’s head coach since and posted a 166-124 record but only 48-91 in SEC play.
The Crimson Tide’s best season under came in Bohannon 2021. Alabama finished 12-17 in the SEC and qualified for the conference tournament, where it upset No. 2 Tennessee in the first round. That was enough to help the Tide qualify for the NCAA Tournament, where they were eliminated at the Ruston Regional.
Alabama is currently one of four projected SEC “bubble teams” to make the league tournament next month, along with Auburn, Texas A&M and Georgia. The Crimson Tide will close out the regular season with two home series against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, along with a three-game road trip against A&M.
Alabama will play its final non-conference game of the regular season against Troy next Tuesday at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala.
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