Ohio University terminated its head football coach, Brian Smith, 45, following a single season, the institution disclosed on Wednesday. The dismissal stemmed from an internal administrative investigation that uncovered “grave professional transgressions and engagement in behaviors detrimental to the University’s reputation.”
By Thursday, several news outlets, referencing official public documents, began to disclose specific instances of the alleged misbehavior. These reportedly encompassed a romantic involvement between Smith and an undergraduate student, along with accusations of him appearing publicly in an intoxicated state.
A termination notification, dated December 12, specified allegations against Smith, claiming “marital infidelities, including one instance with an undergraduate student,” at the Ohio University Inn. This particular incident was reportedly observed by a player’s parent, as detailed by The Athletic.
Rex Elliott, representing Smith, asserted in a December 16 reply letter that Smith and his spouse had already separated and were pursuing a divorce when Smith initiated a mutually agreed-upon relationship with the student. Elliott emphasized that this interaction did not constitute an “extramarital affair,” a point also noted by The Athletic. Furthermore, Elliott stated, as reported by The Post, that Smith ceased the relationship upon discovering her student status.
The four-month association with the student concluded in early November, according to Elliott’s communication, cited by The Athletic. Smith was reportedly residing at the Ohio University Inn during his search for a lasting residence. It was during this period that he reportedly encountered a player’s parents while he was accompanied by a woman aged 41, as stated by Smith’s legal counsel to The Athletic.
Ohio University dismissed Brian Smith on Wednesday with cause. (Image credit: Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
(Photography by Jason Mowry via Getty Images)
Additionally, the dismissal document alleged that Smith exhibited signs of intoxication and had a strong alcoholic odor during a public event, though the university reportedly omitted specific details regarding the incident.
On November 24, Ohio’s athletic director, Slade Larscheid, alongside other administrative staff, conferred with Smith concerning an accusation that he had breached university and contractual regulations pertaining to “alcohol and other substances,” as indicated in his personnel records acquired by The Athletic. Smith reportedly admitted to keeping alcohol in his office desk and consuming it within his office outside of regular working hours. He further conceded, as reported by The Athletic, that “occasionally, several assistant coaches, all adults, would join him discreetly in his office post-game for a solitary glass of bourbon.”
This conduct represents a clear contravention of Ohio University’s employee guidelines. Smith was also issued a formal rebuke in a written communication from Larscheid on November 25.
“You additionally conceded that you were initially unaware of this rule but now grasp its stipulations. You declared your dedication to adhering to university policy henceforth and recognized that alcohol consumption or storage on university premises is absolutely forbidden,” the November 25 letter stated, as conveyed by The Athletic. “Any subsequent breaches of University Policy 41.133 or other University regulations could lead to additional disciplinary measures, potentially culminating in the cessation of your employment. You are obligated to strictly observe all university policies and uphold a professional demeanor consistently.”
Smith’s legal representative asserted in the reply correspondence that the coach never appeared intoxicated at any official Ohio University function.
Smith’s employment was terminated with cause the day following Elliott’s reply to the dismissal notification.
On Wednesday afternoon, Elliott issued a declaration indicating “we strongly contest” the university’s justification for the termination and “intend to contend… to safeguard [Smith’s] reputation.”
Following his tenure as interim head coach last season after Tim Albin’s departure — during which he guided the Bobcats to a Cure Bowl victory — Smith was appointed the permanent head coach for the 2025 season.
Ohio achieved commendable results with Smith at the helm, completing the 2025 season with an 8-4 record. This performance secured the team a spot in a bowl game against UNLV, scheduled for December 23.
However, Smith will not be leading the team in that upcoming matchup. The university placed him on indefinite administrative leave on December 1. Subsequently, defensive coordinator John Hauser assumed the role of interim head coach.
The institution announced on Wednesday that its quest for a new head coach “would commence without delay.”
Before his coaching role at Ohio University, Smith occupied various assistant and coordinator capacities throughout college football. His career included three distinct periods at Hawaii, and at every prior engagement, he functioned as either an offensive coordinator or a coach for offensive positions before his promotion to his inaugural head-coaching role with Ohio last season.
