Ohio University Says Football Coach Brian Smith Was Fired for Alleged Affair with Undergraduate Student

NEED TO KNOW

• College football coach Brian Smith has been relieved of his duties after allegedly engaging in an extramarital affair with a student, according to reports
• The 45-year-old former Ohio University staffer’s contract was terminated just shy of his one-year anniversary with the school
• Interim head coach John Stauser will lead the team in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl against the University of Nevada Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 23

Ohio University football coach Brian Smith was fired after allegedly engaging in an extramarital affair with a student, according to reports. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the school’s football team issued a statement saying the 45-year-old coach had been relieved of his duties "for cause."

“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 statement read. 

Interim head coach John Stauser will lead the team in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl against the University of Nevada Las Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the statement continued.

Smith’s termination comes after an alleged extramarital affair with an undergraduate student, NPR affiliate station WVXU reported, citing a letter from Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. (The outlet noted correspondence between school officials and Smith was obtained by WOSU through a public records request.)

In Gonzalez's letter, dated Dec. 12, she referenced Smith's employee agreement that says a coach can be fired for conduct the university believes "brings the Head Coach into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule."

"This includes your participation in extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student, to which you have admitted," Gonzalez's letter said.

The student involved was not identified in the letter.

Rex Elliott, the attorney representing Smith, said in response, "It is truly unfortunate that OU has elected...in reaching an erroneous conclusion that will undoubtedly irreparably harm Coach Smith's career.”

He also claimed his client was terminated without having the opportunity to explain himself, adding, "Coach Smith did not hide the relationship and even his now ex-wife didn't accuse him of engaging in an extramarital affair.”

Elliott argued that while Smith’s four-month relationship with the student “occurred among consenting adults," the former coach “had no idea she was an OU student.”

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"She was not a member of the athletic department and Coach Smith could not impact her status in any way as Head Coach,” the attorney said.

PEOPLE reached out to Elliott for comment.

Smith was named head coach at the Athens County, Ohio, college on Dec. 18, 2024. He went 8-4 in his first season after replacing Tim Albin, who left for UNC Charlotte, according to ESPN.

Following news of Smith’s release, Elliott said, "He is shocked and dismayed by this turn of events, and we plan to fight this wrongful termination to protect his good name.”

Read the original article on People