The former golf coach of the Air Force Academy committed NCAA betting violations, the governing body announced Thursday.
Using an account under his then girlfriend’s name, George Koury wagered $250 on six Air Force football games in 2020, the NCAA’s report said.
In all, Koury made 253 wagers on professional (146) and college (107) sports, totaling $9,259, from Sept. 29 to Dec. 10, 2020.
Details of Koury’s tenure at Air Force
Koury’s LinkedIn profile says he was the institution’s head golf coach for more than 19 years (2002-21) before transitioning to an associate athletic director position (recruiting support) through May of this year.
The NCAA would not confirm Koury’s name to LSR. “Under our current rules, we do not name individuals involved in infractions cases,” a spokesperson said.
However, Koury’s institutional bio (and LinkedIn profile) matches the report’s description of his tenure at Air Force.
NCAA betting penalty for golf coach
For his actions, Koury, who is no longer with the institution in any capacity, received “a five-year show-cause order” from the NCAA.
The report states:
“During the show-cause order, any employing member institution shall restrict the former head coach from any athletically related position. If the former head coach becomes employed in the first year after the show-cause order, he shall be suspended for 50% of the men’s golf regular season.”
NCAA betting wrongdoing uncovered
Air Force’s compliance team was tipped off about the wrongdoing from the Koury’s ex-girlfriend. The institution then reported the information to the Colorado Division of Gaming, which conducted a criminal investigation.
The report states:
“On October 23, 2020, the online sports wagering platform flagged the account and denied additional funding when then head golf coach attempted to add an additional funding source associated with a trust fund in his name. When the existing funds in the online sports wagering account were depleted in mid-December 2020, the wagers ceased. In the spring of 2021, then head golf coach and his girlfriend ended their relationship. On February 26, 2022, then head golf coach closed the online sports wagering account after his then ex-girlfriend requested he do so because the account was in her name.”
The Colorado Division of Gaming offered no further comment to LSR. LSR also reached out to Air Force, but has yet to hear back.
The NCAA is also dealing with ongoing betting investigations at Alabama and Iowa.
