ATHENS, Ohio (WTAP) – Ohio University has fired head football coach Brian Smith for cause, following allegations of extramarital affairs and alcohol-related misconduct.
University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez sent Smith a notice of intent to terminate on December 12, citing five grounds for dismissal under his employment contract. She followed through with the termination December 17, despite a detailed response from Smith’s legal team.
University allegations
In the December 12 letter, Gonzalez accused Smith of “participation in extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student” that brings “public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule” to the university.
The letter states Smith admitted to Athletic Director Slade Larscheid that he “carried on an affair in part on campus at the Ohio University Inn, where you were likely to be observed by OU constituents, such as student-athletes’ families, donors, and alumni, and where you were indeed witnessed by a football player’s parent.”
Gonzalez also cited alcohol-related issues, stating Smith had been “reprimanded for your repeated use of alcohol in your office, in violation of University policy” and that he “participated in a public appearance during which you smelled strongly of alcohol and were intoxicated in your demeanor.”
The university president said such appearances are part of Smith’s duties to “promote and communicate about the program” and his use of alcohol impaired his ability to duties as head coach.
Legal team’s response
Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott of Cooper Elliott law firm, responded December 16 with a detailed defense, calling the allegations false and demanding Smith’s reinstatement.
Elliott said Smith “didn’t participate in an extramarital affair” because Smith and his ex-wife “were separated earlier this year, living apart and divorce proceedings were well underway before he began dating anyone.”
The lawyer said Smith did not hide his relationship and dated the student for nearly four months after meeting her at an Athens establishment, not knowing she was an OU student. Elliott said Smith “could not impact her status in any way as Head Coach” and ended the relationship in early November.
“OU has no policy preventing any employee from dating a student,” Elliott wrote. “This has occurred previously with other University representatives and no one has lost their job let alone been terminated ‘for cause.’”
Regarding alcohol allegations, Elliott said Smith “has never been inebriated at an OU event” and noted that “OU serves and encourages alcohol use at University sponsored events, including in the President’s and AD Suites at OU Football games.”
In respect to the reprimand over alcohol use in his office, Elliot says it “was not a ”for cause” termination ground then and it can’t magically become one now”. Elliot also states in this specific incident “the coaches were “toasting with Bourbon provided by your husband to Coach Smith in his office”..
Elliot names another example of other OU staff drinking with Smith in an office on campus, stating this is one example of “numerous other incidents of OU faculty and staff drinking”.
Final termination
Despite the legal response, Gonzalez terminated Smith’s employment December 17, writing that “Ohio University has ample cause to terminate under Section 7.1 of your Employment Agreement.”
Smith was required to return all university property by December 19, including keys, identification cards and parking passes.
Autoplay
Elliott had warned that Smith “intends to vigorously pursue litigation should OU continue down this reckless path” and said the university’s actions could “irreparably harm Coach Smith’s career.”
We reached out to OU for further comment and with questions and will update this story when more information becomes available.
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