Former Ohio University football coach Brian Smith has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school, alleging it breached his employment contract by firing him for cause in December based on allegations that were never proven or properly investigated.
"This case arises from Ohio University's decision to destroy the career and reputation of its head football coach first and justify it later," the complaint states.
A copy of the complaint, filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and obtained by Richard Johnson of CBS Sports, seeks the remaining balance of Smith's contract.
"As the university stated in December 2025, Brian Smith's termination for cause was based on violations of the established terms within his employment agreement," the school said in a statement provided to CBS Sports. "This lawsuit is unfounded, and the university will strongly defend itself in court. Consistent with its longstanding practice, the university declines to comment further on pending litigation."
The school announced Dec. 17 that Smith had been fired for cause following what it called an administrative review into "serious professional misconduct" and conduct that reflected unfavorably on the university. Smith had been placed on leave earlier in the month, with defensive coordinator John Hauser named interim coach, as reported by Johnson and Cody Nagel of CBS Sports.
"At the time of Smith's dismissal, records obtained by The Associated Press showed the university cited alleged extramarital affairs — including one with a graduate student — and alcohol-related conduct, including claims he appeared intoxicated at a public event and repeatedly used alcohol in his office," Johnson and Nagel reported.
According to CBS Sports, university president Lori Stewart Gonzalez wrote in a notice of intent to terminate that Smith had brought "disrepute, scandal and ridicule" to the school.
Smith's complaint says the university terminated Smith "in a matter of days" and without completing any meaningful investigation. It further alleges Ohio publicly linked Smith to accusations of sexual misconduct, moral turpitude and professional unfitness even though those allegations were "never adjudicated, never proven, and never subjected to the fair and contractual process OU promised."
The complaint also contends the university improperly used a prior corrective reprimand and a consensual adult relationship as grounds for termination, Johnson and Nagel reported.
Smith's attorney, Rex Elliott, said in a statement that the coach is owed the compensation guaranteed under his agreement.
"OU's actions have irreparably harmed coach Smith's coaching career, and he is owed the full balance of his contractually agreed-upon compensation," Elliott said.
According to Johnson and Nagel, "Elliott previously challenged the university's stated reasons for dismissal, saying Smith's divorce proceedings were already underway when he began dating and arguing the school had no written policy barring employees from dating students outside the athletic department."
Smith, 45, joined the Ohio football staff in 2022, holding the titles of running backs coach, associate head coach and offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in December 2024, as reported by CBS Sports. The Bobcats went 9-4 under Smith, including a Cure Bowl victory over Jacksonville State at the end of the 2024 season.
