Former Ohio University football head coach Brian Smith is suing the school for wrongful termination after being fired over an alleged extramarital affair with an undergraduate student.
Smith, 45, was dismissed by the school in December for what was described as ‘serious professional misconduct,’ shortly after he was placed on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons.
However, in a letter dated December 12 to Smith and obtained by the Columbus Dispatch, OU President Lori Stewart Gonzalez claimed that the coach had admitted to engaging in extramarital affairs, including one with an unnamed student.
The letter reportedly accused Smith of carrying on the relationship in part on campus, at the Ohio University Inn.
Gonzalez also accused Smith of repeatedly using alcohol in his office, which reportedly violates university policy, and participating in a public appearance during which he ‘smelled strongly of alcohol’ and was ‘intoxicated’ in his demeanor.
Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, strongly denied all the accusations at the time and now the former Ohio University coach has taken legal action against his dismissal.
Former Ohio University football head coach Brian Smith is suing the school for wrongful termination after being fired over an alleged extramarital affair with a student
The 45-year-old is pictured with his ex-wife Liane, who he separated from last year
In a lawsuit which was filed on Friday in Ohio’s Court of Claims, and seen by The Daily Mail, Smith claims the ‘allegations were disputed and unproven’.
He said in a statement: ”The University rushed to judgment, ignored its contractual obligations, and prioritized its financial interest over a fair process.
‘OU’s actions have irreparably harmed Coach Smith’s coaching career, and he is owed the full balance of his contractually agreed-upon compensation.’
According to reports, Smith had roughly $2.5million left on his deal with the school, which ran until the end of the 2029 season.
‘The University materially breached the Agreement by terminating Plaintiff ‘for cause’ without a good-faith investigation or substantiating any grounds for cause,’ the suit added.
However, a spokesperson for Ohio University insisted Smith’s dismissal was ‘based on violations of the established terms within his employment agreement.’
In a statement, they said: ‘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.
‘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. ‘
In a lawsuit which was filed on Friday in Ohio’s Court of Claims, and seen by The Daily Mail, Smith claims the ‘allegations were disputed and unproven’
The California native had led the Bobcats to an 8-4 record in his first season
Meanwhile, back in December, a personnel file obtained by The Athletic, via a public information request, revealed that Smith had been reprimanded for the violation less than a week before his suspension.
According to the documents, Ohio athletic director Slade Larscheid and other administrators met with Smith on November 24 regarding the allegation.
A letter in the file sent by Suzanne Durst, Ohio University’s director of employee experience, on November 24 revealed a meeting where Smith acknowledged storing alcohol in his office desk drawer.
He also admitted that he had consumed alcohol in his office after normal business hours and 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’.
Smith emphasized to administrators that neither he nor the other coaches were under the influence during these instances and that the alcohol never affected his job performance.
However, Ohio University strictly prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol while on duty or in the workplace.
On November 25, Smith received a formal letter of reprimand from Larscheid.
Smith had led the Bobcats to an 8-4 record in his first season.
