Ohio University has officially parted ways with head football coach Brian Smith, citing “serious professional misconduct” as the reason for his dismissal. The school made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, just days before the Bobcats are set to face UNLV in the Frisco Bowl.
In a statement, the university said the decision followed an administrative review that found Smith had violated the terms of his employment agreement and engaged in conduct that reflected poorly on the institution. The nature of the misconduct was not detailed, but the language used by the school makes it clear this wasn’t a simple performance-based move.
Smith had already been on administrative leave since early December, so Wednesday’s announcement formalized what had been looming for weeks. With Smith out, interim head coach John Hauser will continue to lead the team through bowl season.
It’s a sudden and turbulent end to Smith’s short tenure in Athens. He took over the program in 2022 and went 9-4 across parts of two seasons.
Last year, he stepped in for Tim Albin, who left Ohio to take over as Charlotte’s head coach. Now, less than two full seasons later, the Bobcats are looking for their third head coach in as many years.
That’s a stark contrast to the program’s previous run of stability. Before this recent stretch of turnover, Ohio had just two head coaches over a 19-year span - Frank Solich and Albin - a duo that brought consistency and competitiveness to the MAC. The challenge now for Ohio’s athletic department is not just finding a new coach, but finding someone who can restore that kind of long-term stability.
The university confirmed that the search for a permanent head coach will begin immediately. In the meantime, all eyes shift to the Frisco Bowl, where the Bobcats will try to close out a chaotic season on a high note under Hauser’s leadership.