Ohio University fired head coach Brian Smith for cause on Wednesday, more than two weeks after he was unexpectedly placed on leave by the university.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d the university said in a statement. It did not elaborate on the specifics of the allegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe vigorously dispute Ohio University\u2019s grounds for the termination for cause of Coach Brian Smith,\u201d Smith\u2019s attorney, Rex Elliott, said in a statement Wednesday. \u201cHe is shocked and dismayed by this turn of events, and we plan to fight this wrongful termination to protect his good name. Coach Smith is an ethical man who has done an exemplary job for the University. He wants nothing but the best for the players, coaches, and the entire Bobcat community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate head coach and defensive coordinator John Hauser, who was named the interim coach when Smith was put on leave, will coach the Bobcats against UNLV in the Scooter\u2019s Coffee Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23. Ohio said its search for a new head coach will begin immediately.<\/p>\n
On the afternoon of Dec. 1, three days after the Bobcats completed an 8-4 regular season in their first year under Smith, Ohio\u2019s athletic department released a brief statement that Smith \u201cwill be on leave for an undetermined period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ohio University provided no further updates on the matter and stated that it had no additional information to share in response to multiple requests. Elliott, Smith\u2019s attorney, previously confirmed to The Athletic that the coach was placed on paid leave.<\/p>\n
According to Smith\u2019s personnel file with the university, which was obtained by\u00a0The Athletic\u00a0via a public record request, Ohio University athletic director Slade Larscheid and other administrators met with Smith on Nov. 24 regarding an allegation that Smith had violated a university and contractual policy related to \u201calcohol and other drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Nov. 24 letter in Smith\u2019s file from Suzanne Durst, Ohio University\u2019s director of employee experience, detailed a meeting in which Smith acknowledged storing alcohol in his office desk drawer and that he had consumed alcohol in his office after normal business hours. Smith also acknowledged that \u201con 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,\u201d according to the letter. Smith emphasized that neither he nor others were under the influence during these instances and that alcohol never affected his job performance.<\/p>\n
Ohio University employee policy 41.133 states that it is strictly prohibited for an employee to \u201cuse, possess, manufacture or distribute drugs and\/alcohol, or be under the influence of drugs and\/or alcohol, while in the workplace or in university vehicles and equipment and while on duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
A separate letter from Larscheid on Nov. 25 provided Smith with a formal reprimand for violating the university policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou further acknowledged that you were initially unfamiliar with the policy but now understand its requirements. You affirmed your commitment to comply with university policy moving forward and recognized that consuming or storing alcohol on university property is strictly prohibited,\u201d it said in the Nov. 25 letter. \u201cFuture violations of University Policy 41.133 or other University policies, may result in further disciplinary action, up to and including termination of your employment. You are expected to fully comply with all university policies and maintain professional conduct at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 letters make no mention of drug possession or use by Smith. Elliott told The Athletic\u00a0that the Nov. 25 reprimand was related to Smith and a few coaches toasting a recent victory in his office.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s personnel file also includes a Dec. 1 letter from Mary Elizabeth Smith, Ohio University\u2019s vice president of human resources, informing Smith he had been placed on paid administrative leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the request of your department, you are placed on paid administrative leave from your position as Head Coach, Men\u2019s Football, pending the outcome of an investigation regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct and possible violations of university policy and your employment agreement,\u201d the letter states.<\/p>\n
There were no other documents in the personnel file between the Nov. 25 reprimand letter and the Dec. 1 letter for administrative leave.<\/p>\n
It is unclear what connection, if any, Smith\u2019s Nov. 25 reprimand had on him being placed on leave and later fired for cause. Ohio University did not immediately respond to an additional request for comment on the matter. Elliott had no further comment.<\/p>\n
According to Smith\u2019s employment contract, also obtained via a record request, the \u201cTermination for cause\u201d portion of the contract states the university has the \u201cright to terminate this Agreement for cause prior to its expiration\u201d if there is \u201cgood faith determination of the following.\u201d That includes, among other stipulations, \u201cSerious professional or personal misconduct\u2026any of which may reflect adversely upon the reputation or public perception of University or its athletics program,\u201d as well as activities or situations that reflect \u201cunfavorably upon University\u2019s reputation and overall primary mission and objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n