Former Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon has been hit with a 15-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA following his involvement in a betting scandal. This scandal ultimately led to Bohannon losing his job. The penalty means that any program interested in hiring him must provide a compelling reason for doing so. Even if a program manages to justify hiring him, Bohannon will be barred from participating in the first five seasons after his appointment. Alabama itself has also faced sanctions, including three years of probation and a $5,000 fine. The school is also required to hire a firm to educate student-athletes, coaches, and staff about gambling.
The scandal itself is quite serious, as it could have had a detrimental impact on the integrity of the game. However, the circumstances surrounding Bohannon’s downfall are rather comical. It all began when Bohannon texted a bettor named Bert Neff, informing him that a key player, referred to as HAMMER, would not be playing in a game against LSU. Neff then rushed to the MGM Sportsbook to place a $100,000 bet on LSU before the news broke and the betting lines changed.
Unfortunately for Bohannon, the sportsbook staff found the large bet on a college baseball game suspicious. As a result, they limited Neff’s wager to $15,000. This decision did not sit well with Bohannon’s accomplice. The bettor attempted to place additional wagers for the Alabama vs. LSU game, but the staff declined due to the suspicious activity. The NCAA’s findings revealed that the bettor was insistent and made statements claiming that the bet was guaranteed to win. Ultimately, Neff shared Bohannon’s messages with the sportsbook staff, exposing the scheme.
This entire situation showcases some truly foolish behavior. Both Bohannon and Neff are now facing significant consequences. Neff is currently facing charges of destroying evidence, tampering with witnesses, and providing false statements to the FBI. It is a stark reminder of the importance of carefully selecting one’s accomplices and ensuring they can be trusted.
