Ohio University dismissed its head football coach, Brian Smith, with cause, the institution declared on Wednesday. Smith’s termination occurred after an internal administrative inquiry brought to light “serious professional improprieties and involvement in activities that cast a negative light on the University.”
Smith, who is 45 years old, was on the verge of finishing his inaugural full season in the role. After assuming the position of the team’s interim head coach last season following Tim Albin’s departure — and steering the Bobcats to a victory in the Cure Bowl — Smith was appointed as the full-time head coach for the 2025 season.
Smith’s legal counsel issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon asserting that they “dispute” the university’s justification for his termination and “intend to challenge … to safeguard [Smith’s] reputation.”
Ohio achieved a strong performance in Smith’s initial season, recording an 8-4 win-loss record. This earned the team a bowl game appearance against UNLV, scheduled for December 23rd.
However, Smith will not be coaching the team in that particular contest. On December 1st, he was placed on an indefinite leave of absence by the university. The school did not disclose the specifics regarding why Smith was placed on leave. Defensive coordinator John Hauser was subsequently promoted to interim head coach.
In its declaration on Wednesday, Ohio University refrained from providing precise details on the circumstances that led to Smith’s dismissal.
Ohio’s athletic director, Slade Larscheid, along with other administrative staff, held a meeting with Smith on November 24th concerning an allegation that he had violated university and contractual guidelines pertaining to “alcohol and other substances,” according to his personnel file obtained by The Athletic. Smith reportedly admitted to keeping alcohol in his office desk drawer and to consuming alcohol in his office after standard business hours. He also, as per The Athletic, conceded that “on occasion, a few assistant coaches, all over the age of 21, joined him privately in his office after games for a single drink of bourbon.”
This constitutes a direct breach of Ohio University’s employee policies. Smith also received a formal written censure in a communication from Larscheid on November 25th.
“You further acknowledged that you were initially unfamiliar with the policy but now understand its requirements. You affirmed your commitment to comply with university policy moving forward and recognized that consuming or storing alcohol on university property is strictly prohibited,” the Nov. 25 letter stated, as reported by The Athletic. “Future violations of University Policy 41.133 or other University policies, may result in further disciplinary action, up to and including termination of your employment. You are expected to fully comply with all university policies and maintain professional conduct at all times.”
The university indicated that its search for a new head coach “will commence immediately.”
Prior to his coaching tenure at Ohio University, Smith held various assistant and coordinator positions across collegiate football. He completed three separate periods at Hawaii and had served as either an offensive coordinator or an offensive positions coach at every stop before being elevated to his first head-coaching role with Ohio last season.
