Ohio football coach Brian Smith, who was recently let go, received an official reprimand for breaching the university’s ‘alcohol and other drugs’ policy just weeks prior to his termination.
The decision to fire Smith was announced on Wednesday, with the university citing ‘serious professional misconduct’ as the reason, following a thorough administrative investigation.
The university’s statement explained, “The termination is the result of an administrative review into allegations that Smith breached his employment agreement by engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that cast a negative light on the University.”
Although the institution has not disclosed the precise reasons for Smith’s termination, recent reports indicate that he violated a policy concerning ‘alcohol and other drugs’ shortly before being placed on administrative leave earlier this month.
Documents obtained by The Athletic through a public records request reveal that Smith was disciplined for this violation just days before his suspension.
The records detail a meeting on November 24 between Smith, Ohio athletic director Slade Larscheid, and other university officials to address the allegations.
Ohio University football coach Brian Smith has been dismissed for what the school is calling ‘serious professional misconduct.’ The specific allegations against Smith aren’t yet public
New reports revealed that Smith had violated a university policy related to ‘alcohol and other drugs’ shortly before he was placed on leave at the start of the month
A letter in the file sent by Suzanne Durst, Ohio University’s director of employee experience, on November 24th revealed a meeting where Smith acknowledged storing alcohol in his office desk drawer.
He also admitted that he had consumed alcohol in his office after normal business hours and 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’.
Smith emphasized to administrators that neither he nor the other coaches were under the influence during these instances and that the alcohol never affected his job performance.
However, Ohio University strictly prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol while on duty or in the workplace.
On November 25, Smith received a formal letter of reprimand from Larscheid.
‘You further acknowledged that you were initially unfamiliar with the policy but now understand its requirements,’ the letter stated. ‘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’.
The file also included a letter from December 1st which informed Smith that he had been placed on administrative leave.
‘At the request of your department, you are placed on paid administrative leave from your position as Head Coach, Men’s Football, pending the outcome of an investigation regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct and possible violations of university policy and your employment agreement,’ the letter states.
A letter in the file from Suzanne Durst, Ohio University’s director of employee experience, revealed a meeting where Smith acknowledged storing alcohol in his office desk drawer
Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, said that the reprimand was related to Smith and his staff ‘toasting a recent victory’ in his office
Crucially, there are no documents in the personnel file between that November 25 reprimand and a December 1 letter placing Smith on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into ‘inappropriate conduct’.
It remains unclear what connection, if any, the alcohol-related reprimand had on the decision to place him on leave and ultimately fire him for cause.
Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, told The Athletic that the reprimand was related to Smith and his staff ‘toasting a recent victory’ in his office.
The Daily Mail have reached out to Elliott and Ohio University for comment.
‘He is shocked and dismayed by this turn of events, and we plan to fight this wrongful termination to protect his good name,’ Elliott said in a statement. ‘Coach Smith is an ethical man who has done an exemplary job for the University’.
According to Smith’s employment contract, also obtained via a record request, the university holds the right to terminate the agreement if there is a ‘good faith determination’ of misconduct.
The ‘Termination for cause’ clause specifically covers ‘serious professional or personal misconduct’ that may ‘reflect adversely upon the reputation or public perception of University or its athletics program’.
This language mirrors the university’s official announcement on Wednesday, which stated Smith was dismissed for ‘engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University’.
Smith’s bizarre dismissal follows a mysterious firing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where coach Sherrone Moore was let go over an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a staff member
The fired Michigan coach is accused of breaking into the home of his executive assistant Paige Shiver (left) with a knife and terrorizing an unnamed woman
The agreement also stipulates that Smith cannot be terminated for cause without receiving written notice of the allegations and an opportunity to respond.
Had Smith been fired without cause, he would have been owed roughly $2.5 million in remaining salary on his five-year contract.
Smith had led the Bobcats to an 8-4 record in his first season. Interim head coach John Hauser will now lead the team in the Frisco Bowl against UNLV on December 23.
Smith’s bizarre dismissal follows a similarly mysterious firing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where football coach Sherrone Moore was let go last week for an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Hours later, the married father of three was arrested in a church parking lot after allegedly going to his executive assistant’s home and threatening to harm himself with a butter knife and scissors.
Moore was charged with breaking and entering, home invasion and stalking at his arraignment Friday before being released on a $25,000 bond.
