Georgia Football Staff Member Loses Job Over Past Betting

Written By Dan Holmes on July 23, 2024
Georgia Bulldogs football players, whose staff member violated NCAA betting rules

An unidentified member of the Georgia Bulldogs football staff has lost his job for violating NCAA rules. He reportedly placed wagers on professional sports in 2020 that were sponsored by the NCAA.

The school became aware of the infractions in 2023 and self-reported them to the NCAA. All Level III violations must be disclosed on public reports to the NCAA.

Level III violations are characterized as a “breach of conduct” and are “isolated and limited in nature.” They are the lowest level of violation in the NCAA.

Staff member can’t work again in SEC unless he undergoes gambling education

It was not disclosed where the bets were made. Georgia sports betting remains illegal. Efforts by lawmakers to create a referendum asking Georgia voters to allow sports betting in the Peach State failed earlier this year.

Legislators are expected to take up the issue again in 2025.

The school said the staff member will not be eligible to work for an NCAA program again unless specific requirements are met.

If the staff member is hired by another SEC institution in the future, the staff member is required to complete a sports gambling education program/session. And the hiring institution is required to submit a written plan to the conference office for monitoring the staff member to assure he does not commit similar violations in the future.

School reported 23 Level III violations in 2023-24 report

In 2022, UGA self-reported an incident where one of its athletes placed a wager on a daily fantasy sports platform. That was also a Level III violation. Georgia reported 23 Level III violations in its 2023-24 report.

Many of the violations in the report were related to prohibited training and practices. Student-athletes are limited to a certain number of hours of practice or team-related activities per week or month.

There was also one violation in which a UGA golf coach replied to a recruit’s email before the permissible date for such communication.

Under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs football team has become a powerhouse in college football. Georgia won the NCAA National Championship in both 2021 and 2022.

Photo by John Bazemore / AP Images
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Dan Holmes is a contributor for PlayGeorgia with plenty of experience under his belt. Dan has written three books about sports and previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball. He also has extensive experience covering the launch of sports betting in other states, including Ohio, Massachusetts and Maryland. Currently, Dan is residing in Michigan with his family.

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