Ohio announces firing of Brian Smith after being placed on leave

The Ohio Bobcats announced they fired head coach Brian Smith for cause, per a release from the program Wednesday. Smith was previously on a leave of absence.

“Today, Ohio University terminated the contract of Head Football Coach Brian Smith for cause,” the release read. “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. 
 
“Interim head coach John Hauser will continue to lead Ohio University football as the Bobcats take on the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels in the 2025 Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, December 23. A search for a permanent head coach for Ohio football will begin immediately.”

Smith’s attorney told the school’s public TV and radio station WOUB that he was previously asked to leave in the middle of the work day without any explanation. No allegations or charges have been brought against Smith, per the report, and his attorney has denied any wrongdoing.

“Two days later, the attorney told WOUB that Smith still hadn’t been given a formal reason for the school’s decision, but was looking forward to returning to his players and staff as soon as possible,” the report from FOS read. “The coach was set to make about $850,000 for this season, according to USA Today. And, the contract said, Dec. 1 was a key deadline for his $2.5 million buyout.

“If the school had fired Smith without cause before Dec. 1, it would’ve owed him the entire base salary left on his deal, equal to $2,511,250. Starting Dec. 1, if Smith decided to leave, he or his new employer would’ve owed that amount back to the university.”

Smith went through a divorce, according to a public filing on December 3rd. His ex-wife’s attorney said: “nothing [she] has alleged is the cause of [Smith’s] current situation at Ohio University,” however, she “does not know what the specific issues are.”

Smith and his ex-wife finalized their divorce on Tuesday, per FOS. The Athens Police Department, Ohio University Campus Police and the university did not answer questions nor provide additional information on the seemingly bizarre situation.

Smith was with the school since 2022, working up from assistant coach to head coach this year. In his first season, the Bobcats went 8-4 in 2025. A former offensive lineman for Hawaii, he’s been coaching since 2003 after his playing career.