In Athens, Ohio, Ohio University has dismissed Brian Smith from his position as head football coach due to several breaches of his contract, including an inappropriate relationship with an undergraduate student. This information was revealed in documents acquired by The Associated Press through a public records request on Thursday.
The university had announced Smith’s dismissal on Wednesday, citing “serious professional misconduct” and involvement in activities that cast a negative light on the institution. However, the specifics of these allegations were not initially disclosed.
The Associated Press gained access to a copy of the university’s notice of intent to terminate Smith’s contract, which included the response from Smith’s legal representative.
On December 12, University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez issued the notice to Smith and his attorney, Rex Elliott. Prior to this, Smith had been placed on indefinite leave as of December 1.
The notice cited reasons such as “participation in extramarital affairs” and “alcohol-related conduct,” with particular reference to an event where Smith appeared to be intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.
The university argued that these affairs warranted termination because they subjected the coach to “public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule.”
Elliott responded to Gonzalez on Dec. 16 that “divorce proceedings were well underway before he began dating anyone. Coach Smith did not hide the relationship, and even his now ex-wife didn’t accuse him of engaging in an extramarital affair.” Smith and his ex-wife separated earlier this year.
The attorney’s response said Smith didn’t know the woman was a university student at the time they met at an Athens establishment, and that they dated for nearly four months. The student also was not a staff member in the football program or athletic department, according to the attorney.
“No one at OU expressed any concern or input into who Coach Smith was permitted to date but he nonetheless ended the relationship in early November,” Elliott wrote.
The attorney also disputed the characterization that an affair was being carried out at an on-campus inn because Smith was living there at the time while he was looking for another home after his divorce.
Elliott argued that the school has no written policy preventing any employee from dating a student and that “this was a perfectly appropriate consensual adult relationship that did not violate any OU rule or policy.”
The school’s letter also said Smith was reprimanded for “repeated use of alcohol in your office.”
Smith’s attorney said the reprimand was related to coaches having a victory toast in Smith’s office after home victories. Elliott said the bourbon was provided by Gonzalez’s husband and that “taking a single drink toasting a victory with his staff comes nowhere close to justifying a “for cause” termination.”
Elliott had said in a statement Wednesday night that: “We vigorously dispute Ohio University’s grounds for the termination for cause of Coach Brian Smith.”
But Elliott did note in his letter to Gonzalez that they were open to avoiding a public battle and working toward a mutual departure that would “protect Coach Smith from undue harm as well as the University.”
The 45-year old Smith was named the head coach on Dec. 18, 2024, after Tim Albin left to become the coach at Charlotte. Smith came to Ohio as running backs coach and passing game coordinator in 2022, then was promoted to associate head coach in 2023 and offensive coordinator in 2024.
The Bobcats went 9-4 under Smith, including a win in last year’s Cure Bowl over Jacksonville State and a 17-10 victory over West Virginia this season.
Defensive coordinator John Hauser will serve as interim coach for the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23 against UNLV. The search for a permanent coach is underway.
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