Ohio University football coach fired for alleged drinking, affair with student

Brian Smith, head football coach But Ohio UniversityWas dismissed from his position due to multiple violations of his contract, including an extramarital affair Case with a graduate student,

The details emerged from records obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request Thursday.

university It was announced earlier Wednesday that Smith’s contract had been terminated following an administrative review.

This review concluded that he was “engaged in serious professional activities misconduct and participating activities which adversely affected the institution, although specific details were hidden at the time.

full extent of Blame was included in the notice of intent to terminate, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. The record also included a response from Smith’s legal representative.

University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez sent notice of intent to terminate Smith’s contract to him and his RepresentativeRex Elliott, on December 12. Smith was placed on indefinite leave from December 1.

The grounds for termination outlined in the notice included “involvement in extramarital affairs” and “alcohol-related conduct.”

This includes an incident where Smith allegedly attended a public event smelling strongly of alcohol and appearing “intoxicated by his behavior,” according to the documents.

The university said the extramarital affair was grounds for termination because it brought “public disrepute” to the coach. contemptScandal or ridicule.”

In his response to Gonzalez on December 16, Elliott insisted that “divorce proceedings were underway well before we started dating anyone. Coach Smith didn’t hide it. relationshipAnd even his now ex-wife hasn’t accused him of engaging in an extramarital affair.” Smith and his ex-wife separated earlier this year.

The lawyer’s response further claimed that Smith was unaware that the woman was a university student when they first met at an Athens establishment and that their relationship had lasted about four months. The student was not affiliated with the football program or athletic department staff, Elliott said.

“No one at OU expressed any concern or input over who Coach Smith was allowed to date, but he ended the relationship in early November anyway,” Elliott wrote.

The lawyer also disputed the characterization of the affair as taking place at an on-campus tavern, pointing out that Smith was living there temporarily while looking for new housing following his divorce.

Elliott argued that the university lacked a written policy prohibiting employees from dating students and that “this was a perfectly reasonable consensual adult relationship that did not violate any OU rule or policy.”

The university’s letter also cited Smith for “repeated use of alcohol in your office.”

Smith’s lawyer countered that the reprimand was related to the coach celebrating victory in Smith’s office after a home win.

Elliott said the bourbon was supplied by President Gonzalez’s husband and “having a drink to celebrate a victory with your staff” does not come close to justifying termination “for cause.”

Elliott said earlier Wednesday evening: “We vigorously dispute Ohio University’s grounds for firing Coach Brian Smith.”

However, in his letter to Gonzalez, Elliott indicated a desire to avoid public controversy and work toward a mutual departure that “will protect Coach Smith as well as the university from undue harm.”

Smith, 45, was appointed head coach on December 18, 2024, following the departure of Tim Albin to become coach at Charlotte. Smith joined Ohio as the running backs coach and passing game coordinator in 2022, before being promoted to associate head coach in 2023 and offensive coordinator in 2024.

Under Smith’s leadership, the Bobcats achieved a 9–4 record, including a win in the Cure Bowl against Jacksonville State last year and a 17–10 win over West Virginia this season.

Defensive coordinator John Hauser will take on the role of interim coach for the Frisco Bowl on December 23 against UNLV. At present the search for a permanent coach is going on.