The former head coach of Ohio University's football team filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully terminated last year.
Brian Smith and his lawyers with the Cooper Elliott Law Firm in Columbus announced the lawsuit Friday. Smith allegedly engaged in extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student, and consumed alcohol in his office.
A letter dated Dec. 12, 2025 from Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez that WOSU received after a public records request said Smith's conduct violated his employment agreement with the university.
The lawsuit claims Ohio University officials rushed to judgment, failed to conduct a meaningful investigation, ignored contractual due process protections and improperly relied on disputed and unproven allegations to justify terminating Smith “for cause.”
Under his employment agreement, a coach can be terminated for participating in an act that in the university's judgement "brings the Head Coach into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule."
Smith and his lawyers allege his termination caused "significant and lasting damage to Coach Smith’s reputation and coaching career."
Smith's lawsuit is seeking damages including the value of the remaining contract, consequential damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and additional relief permitted under Ohio law.
OU Spokesman Dan Pittman says in an email statement to WOSU that the lawsuit is unfounded, and the university will strongly defend itself in court. He said that consistent with its longstanding practice, the OU declines to comment further on pending litigation.
Attorney Rex Elliott said in a statement the allegations fall nowhere near the standard required under his contract.
"The University rushed to judgment, ignored its contractual obligations, and prioritized its financial interest over a fair process. This case is about accountability. 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.
Smith led the football team to an 8-4 record last year before he was fired. OU won the Frisco Bowl against the University of Nevada Las Vegas on Dec. 23 without Smith under new head coach John Hauser.
The team barely missed out on the Mid-American Conference Championship.
