Ohio University Fires Coach Brian Smith for Misconduct

Ohio University fired its head football coach, Brian Smith, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, following an administrative review that found he engaged in serious professional misconduct and participated in activities reflecting unfavorably on the institution. The 45-year-old Smith, who had led the Bobcats for less than a year, was terminated for cause in Athens, Ohio, the university's home base.

The decision came after Smith was placed on indefinite administrative leave on December 1, 2025, pending the outcome of the internal investigation. University officials stated that the review determined Smith violated the terms of his employment agreement, though they provided no further details on the nature of the allegations. "The termination follows an administrative review of allegations that Smith violated the terms of his employment agreement by engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University," the school said in a statement.

Smith's attorney, Rex Elliott, strongly contested the university's action. "We vigorously dispute Ohio University's grounds for the termination for cause of Coach Brian Smith," Elliott...