It’s no longer Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats but now even athletic director Greg Byrne is facing criticism following the arrest of Aden Holloway just days before the beginning of the NCAA Tournament.
One of the leading Alabama scorers was arrested after authorities reportedly found about 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment during a narcotics search. It was just below the legal threshold for a trafficking charge in Alabama. The authorities also found packaging materials, cash and drug paraphernalia.
This issue is another controversy coming out of the Alabama campus, which allowed Charles Bediako to be played even though he played in the NBA G-League.
As such, questions are being raised against the conduct of the program, putting the target on the back of Oats and Byrne. Fox Sports Radio host Aaron Torres called out the athletic director, saying he should be held responsible, too, along with the head coach.
“It’s just one thing after the other after the other,” Torres said. “But then also, it doesn’t just fall on Nate Oats, because here is my thing: at what point do we start holding Greg Byrne, the athletic director at Alabama, responsible as well? It falls on the person who hired him and who is writing his checks and who is allowing him to behave in the manner that he is and bring in the players that he has. And so, to me, if you want to hold anybody responsible, it’s Greg Byrne.”
There’s supposed to be a boss there that is telling him you can and cannot do that,” Torres added. “And so some of this does fall on Greg Byrne as well. And I think at some point you have to hold him responsible because, again, this is now multiple major criminal allegations against this basketball team.
What Charges Aden Holloway Faces After Narcotics Search
Aden Holloway has been charged with first-degree marijuana possession and failure to affix a tax stamp (also a felony).
If proven guilty, he could face 10 years of prison time and a $15,000 fine. Shortly after being charged, Holloway was released on a $5,000 bond.
Meanwhile, the program has also taken action in the wake of his arrest. The Crimson Tide has suspended him indefinitely from the team, removed him from campus pending investigation and he will miss Alabama’s NCAA Tournament opener.
Head coach Nate Oats has expressed disappointment but also said the program will support Holloway moving forward. Holloway’s absence leaves Alabama short-handed entering March Madness.
Over the years, there have been several cases of arrest. Former Alabama player Darius Miles was arrested for capital murder. Another player, Brandon Miller, was linked to the same case.
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