Report: Ohio University head football coach fired, allegedly dated undergrad student, drank in office

Despite an 8-4 season and a spot in the Frisco Bowl against UNLV, Ohio University has fired the head coach of the its football team.

Coach Brian Smith, who had been leading the bobcats since 2022, was fired Wednesday by the school for “serious professional misconduct,” and what that means exactly has become more clear over the last several days.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

According to a report from The Athletic, which obtained Smith’s personnel file, the Bobcats now-former head coach stored alcohol in his desk and admitted to drinking in his office after normal business hours. The file also noted 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.” The report claimed is is against university policy to possess alcohol or drugs in the workplace.

 Additionally, a Front Office Sports report–which obtained correspondence between the school and Smith’s lawyer, Ohio University president Lori Gonzalez stated that one of the reasons for Smith’s termination was due to: “Participation in extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student, to which [Smith had] admitted.”

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY