Bozeman was forced to resign in August 1996, just over two months before the start of the 1996-97 season. He admitted paying $30,000 over two years to the parents of Golden Bears recruit Jelani Gardner so they could drive from their home in Mendocino to see him play. When Gardner's playing time dwindled, his parents turned Bozeman in to the NCAA and Gardner eventually transferred to Pepperdine. He had also been the subject of a sexual harassment complaint; just before the announcement he had been ordered to stay away from a former Cal student who had accused him of making lewd phone calls and threatening her.