NCAA Suspends Coach for 15 Years for Data Leak and Illegal Betting

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has imposed a 15-year coaching ban on former baseball coach Brad Bohannon, along with a fine. This penalty stems from Bohannon providing information to a bettor who illicitly wagered on LSU's game against the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

While Bohannon wasn't the central figure in the investigation, the NCAA found him guilty of breaching ethical standards and sports betting rules. The university where he coached has received a three-year probation and a $5,000 fine.

The NCAA detailed that Bohannon disclosed to an acquaintance, engaged in sports betting, that one of his team's players was certain to be eliminated, paving the way for the opponent's victory. The bettor staked $100,000 on the Crimson Tide's win, and the bookmaker's staff adjusted the bet to $15,000. Consequently, the bettor profited significantly using information provided by the coach.

Bettor Bert Neff initially denied guilt and misled his attorney for an extended period. Subsequently, federal authorities revealed that Neff withheld information from his defense attorney regarding betting on a baseball game central to the criminal case. Neff now faces potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for charges including destroying evidence, tampering with evidence, and making false statements to the FBI.