Amid a growing nationwide investigation into college basketball programs, the University of Alabama has announced the resignation of a top athletics administrator.
Kobie Baker, an associate athletics director who oversaw parts of the basketball program, has resigned. It isn't clear how he is connected to the investigation, but Alabama has launched an internal investigation into their program, according to a release from their Athletics Department.
The internal review led to Baker's resignation, Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said in a statement.
The university said they have no knowledge of any NCAA violations or any SEC rule violations, Byrne went on to say. He also said Alabama is not aware of any involvement by coaches or staff.
"As always, we will continue to be proactive in our compliance efforts," Byrne said in the statement.
Neither Baker nor any Alabama basketball coaches were named in the federal charging documents released Tuesday. Auburn associate head coach Chuck Person, who has now been suspended without pay, is facing bribery and corruption charges.
Baker, who served as an administrator and coach from 2006-09 at Alabama, returned to Tuscaloosa as a special assistant head coach and senior director of operations in 2015.
He was the NCAA's associate director of amateurism certification and assistant director of enforcement for basketball development before he returned to the University of Alabama.
Byrne's full statement:
“Following yesterday’s reports from New York regarding a Federal investigation of intercollegiate athletics, The University of Alabama Department of Athletics immediately initiated an internal review of our men’s basketball operations. As a result, we have accepted the resignation effective today of Kobie Baker, a men’s basketball administrator. Our review has not identified any NCAA or SEC rules violations nor the involvement of any other coach or staff member. We have notified both of the governing bodies of the actions we have taken. As always, we will continue to be proactive in our compliance efforts.”
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