Ohio head coach Brian Smith reportedly fired over romantic relationship with undergrad, public intoxication

Ohio University fired head football coach Brian Smith for cause after just one season, the school announced Wednesday. Smith, 45, was fired after an administrative review revealed “serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.”

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On Thursday, multiple reports citing public records uncovered details about that misconduct, which, reportedly included Smith’s romantic relationship with an undergraduate student and his alleged public intoxication.

In a notice of termination letter dated Dec. 12, Smith is accused of “extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student,” at the Ohio University Inn that was witnessed by a player’s parent, according to The Athletic.

Smith’s lawyer, Rex Elliott, wrote in a response letter dated Dec. 16 that Smith and his wife had already separated and were in the process of getting divorced when Smith began a consensual relationship with the student, which Elliott stressed was not an “extramarital affair,” as reported by The Athletic. Elliott also wrote, according to The Post, that Smith ended that relationship when he learned she was a student.

Smith broke off the four-month relationship with the student in early November, Elliott wrote, per The Athletic. Smith was reportedly living at the Ohio University Inn while he was searching for more permanent housing. During that time, he encountered a player’s parents while he was in the company of a 41-year-old woman, Smith’s lawyer wrote, according to The Athletic.

Also in the termination letter, Smith was accused of acting intoxicated and smelling strongly of alcohol during a public appearance, although the university reportedly didn’t provide specifics on the occasion.

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Ohio athletic director Slade Larscheid and other administrators met with Smith on Nov. 24 over an allegation that he had violated a university and contractual policy related to “alcohol and other drugs,” according to his personnel file that was obtained by The Athletic. Smith reportedly acknowledged storing alcohol in his office desk drawer and that he had consumed alcohol in his office after normal business hours. He also, per The Athletic, acknowledged 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.”

That is a direct violation of Ohio University employee policy. Smith also received a formal reprimand in a letter from Larscheid on Nov. 25.

“You further acknowledged that you were initially unfamiliar with the policy but now understand its requirements. You affirmed your commitment to comply with university policy moving forward and recognized that consuming or storing alcohol on university property is strictly prohibited,” it said in the Nov. 25 letter, via The Athletic. “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. You are expected to fully comply with all university policies and maintain professional conduct at all times.”

In the response letter, Smith’s lawyer claims that the coach was never drunk at an Ohio University event.

The day after Elliott’s response to the termination letter, Smith was fired for cause.

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Elliott released a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying “we vigorously dispute” the university’s grounds for termination and “plan to fight … to protect [Smith’s] good name.”

After taking over as interim head coach last season following the departure of Tim Albin — and leading the Bobcats to a win in the Cure Bowl — Smith was named the team’s full-time head coach for the 2025 season.

Ohio performed well under Smith, going 8-4 during the 2025 campaign. That earned the team a bowl game against UNLV, which is set to be played Dec. 23.

But Smith will not coach the team in that contest. On Dec. 1, he was placed on indefinite leave by the university. Defensive coordinator John Hauser was elevated to interim head coach following that decision.

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The school said Wednesday its search for a new head coach “will begin immediately.”

Prior to coaching at Ohio University, Smith held a number of assistant and coordinator jobs across college football. He had three separate stints at Hawaii and has served as either an offensive coordinator or offensive positions coach at every stop before being elevated into his first head-coaching position with Ohio last season.