Just when fans thought the coaching carousel would close for the year, it saw yet another entry. Ohio has entered the chat by firing head coach Brian Smith. But unlike other dismissed head coaches, the reasons for Smith’s firing were shrouded in secrecy at the beginning. Here’s what we know about this new controversy unfolding in Athens.

The Bobcats announced the HC’s departure on December 17. Smith was fired with cause after Ohio conducted an internal investigation. It was found that Smith was engaged in “serious professional misconduct and activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.” He was also placed on leave since December 1. No other information about the matter has been made public.

This marks a sad end to Smith’s tenure as Bobcats HC, since this was his first proper season as a head coach. Smith had done pretty well for a first-time HC. Ohio was 8-4 under his leadership before he was placed on leave. DC John Hauser will take over as interim coach for the Bobcats’ bowl game with UNLV on December 23.

Brian Smith brought with him 22 years of coaching experience on a variety of positions. He began his career in CFB at Hawaii, his alma mater, in 2004. Smith also went to Oregon State as a graduate assistant, moving up to being a proper assistant (OL coach) at Portland State. The former HC returned to Hawaii for 2 more times in his career, climbing to the position of Associate HC in 2017. That year, he was basically running the whole offense as OC. In 2019, Brian Smith’s run-and-shoot saw 2 RBs bring in more than 1000+ yards. He has also worked at Washington State for 2 seasons.

He came to Ohio in 2022 as a pass-game coordinator and moved up the coaching ladder immediately. The coach led the Bobcats’ offense as OC last season, when he was offered the head coaching position. Brian Smith replaced Tim Albin, who left the program to coach at Charlotte. Smith designed extremely powerful offenses, as the program finished with double digit wins in both 2023 and 2024. As head coach, Smith had also significantly improved recruiting in Athens. The 2026 class is 31 spots higher than its 2025 finish.

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Brian Smith finished third in the MAC conference this season, which means he clearly had the potential to do more. The former coach will have to pack his bags, but he also isn’t doing it quietly.

Brian Smith threatens action against Ohio for his removal

Smith is a veteran assistant staffer and has built a name for himself. But after his unceremonious dismissal from Ohio, his career will be dealing with a big blot. Smith’s lawyers are launching a campaign of their own to fight Ohio’s decision to fire him.

“We vigorously dispute Ohio University’s grounds for the termination for cause of Coach Brian Smith,” Smith’s attorney declared in a statement. “He is shocked and dismayed by this turn of events, and we plan to fight this wrongful termination to protect his good name.”

His attorney told WUOB that Ohio had asked Smith to leave during a workday, out of the blue, with no further details. He remains excluded from Ohio football since then, despite wanting to get back and coach his players. Unfortunately, the win over South Carolina will be Brian Smith’s last game as Bobcats HC.

Because Smith has been fired with cause, he won’t be getting his entitled buyout of $2.5 million. He was on a 5-year contract with the Bobcats, which was paying him $850,000. Smith and his lawyers are essentially fighting to get his buyout and to clear his name from it as well. Ohio has announced that it will begin a search for Smith’s replacement right away.