Alabama fires baseball coach after report of suspicious bets

Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon on Thursday after a report of suspicious bets involving his team, with the school saying he violated “the standards, duties and responsibilities expected of university employees.” No details were disclosed on why Bohannon was let go after five years on the job, but the firing came three days after a report warning of suspicious wagers prompted Ohio’s top gambling regulator to bar licensed sportsbooks in the state from accepting bets on Alabama baseball games. The NCAA bars athletes and athletic employees from betting on games “and from providing information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition.” The NCAA said Thursday it was committed to protecting athletes and the “integrity of competition” and is monitoring the case. “I was told it was a large bet that involved LSU-Alabama.” Holden said a five- or six-figure bet placed on a top-ranked LSU football team wouldn’t cause much of a stir. “Even in Louisiana, four figures would be about as large a bet as any sportsbook would take.” The American Gaming Association said it does not have a figure for annual wagering on college baseball.