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Ohio University announced the firing of head football coach Brian Smith for cause on Wednesday (December 17), claiming he violated his contract by "engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University" in a statement shard on the school's athletics website.
"Today, Ohio University terminated the contract of Head Football Coach Brian Smith for cause," the athletic department said. "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."
Ohio University confirmed that defensive coordinator and safeties coach John Hauser would serve as interim head coach for the team's Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl matchup against the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels next Tuesday (December 23) and a search for a permanent replacement had begun immediately.
Smith, 45, initially joined the program as an assistant under former head coach Tim Albin, serving as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and running backs coach when served as interim head coach for the 2024 Cure Bowl and hired as permanent head coach the following week after Albin left to take the same position at Charlotte. Smith went 9-4 (6-2) in 13 games as Ohio's head coach, which included a win against Jacksonville State in the 2024 Cure Bowl.