Ohio University fires head football coach for 'serious professional misconduct'

Ohio University announced Wednesday it had terminated caput shot manager Brian Smith for cause.

"The termination follows an administrative reappraisal of allegations that Smith violated the presumption of his employment statement by engaging successful superior nonrecreational misconduct and participating successful activities that bespeak unfavorably connected the University," the schoolhouse said successful a statement.

The Bobcats named antiaircraft coordinator John Hauser arsenic interim caput manager with the squad scheduled to look the UNLV Rebels successful the 2025 Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl Dec. 23.

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Head manager Brian Smith of the Ohio Bobcats arrives astatine Ohio Stadium earlier a crippled against the Ohio State Buckeyes Sept. 13, 2025, successful Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

"A hunt for a imperishable caput manager for Ohio shot volition statesman immediately," the connection concluded.

It’s chartless what "serious nonrecreational misconduct" Smith allegedly engaged in, but his attorney, Rex Elliott, denied immoderate wrongdoing.

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"We vigorously quality Ohio University’s grounds for the termination for origin of Coach Brian Smith," Elliott said successful a statement, per ESPN. "He is shocked and dismayed by this crook of events, and we program to combat this wrongful termination to support his bully name.

"Coach Smith is an ethical antheral who has done an exemplary occupation for the University. He wants thing but the champion for the players, coaches, and the full Bobcat community."

Head manager Brian Smith of the Ohio Bobcats watches a replay during the 3rd 4th against the Ohio State Buckeyes astatine Ohio Stadium Sept. 13, 2025, successful Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Smith and the Bobcats went 8-4 successful his archetypal regular play arsenic Ohio’s caput coach. He was placed connected permission connected Dec. 1 for undisclosed reasons.

Smith was the team’s violative coordinator past play earlier helium was promoted to interim caput manager pursuing Tim Albin’s determination to caput to Charlotte. The 45-year-old Smith received a five-year declaration to stay the Bobcats’ caput manager done the 2029 season.

But, having been fired by the assemblage for cause, Smith won't beryllium owed astir $2.5 cardinal successful remaining salary.

Brian Smith of the Ohio Bobcats during a crippled against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Aug. 28, 2025, astatine SHI Stadium successful Piscataway, N.J. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

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Smith’s coaching vocation earlier Ohio progressive stops with Washington State and Hawaii. He besides played astatine Hawaii arsenic an violative lineman and agelong snapper.

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