Ohio University fired head football coach Brian Smith not only over alcohol violations but also because Smith had an extramarital affair with an undergraduate student, according to a letter from Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez that was sent to Smith’s home. Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, though, is discounting information in Gonzalez’s letter.
Smith took over as Ohio’s head coach last season, following Tim Albin’s departure to become the head coach of Charlotte. In his tenure with the Bobcats’ program, Smith went 9-4, including 8-4 this season, before being put on leave.
What Did Ohio State About Former HC Brian Smith?
Margaret Fleming, a reporter for Front Office Sports, posted on X on Thursday information she had received regarding Smith’s ouster from Ohio University, as mentioned in Gonzalez’s letter. Elliott also received this letter.
Ex-Ohio University head football Brian Smith was fired yesterday. I just received a public records request from the school that say Smith had a relationship with an undergraduate student, in addition to the alcohol claims that have already been reported. Story to follow. pic.twitter.com/MFRJbp9cmD
— Margaret Fleming (@mgfleming12) December 18, 2025
“Your conduct triggers this clause in multiple ways,” according to Gonzalez’s letter to Smith. “This includes your participation in extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student, to which you have admitted.
“This brings on the very disrepute, scandal, and ridicule in issue in this Section,” the document indicates. “In addition, you appear to have admitted to Athletic Director Larscheid that you carried on an affair in part on campus at the Ohio University Inn, where you were likely to be observed by OU constituents, such as student-athletes’ families, donors, and alumni, and where you were indeed witnessed by a football player’s parent.”
Gonzalez’s letter also goes into detail regarding Smith’s use of alcohol in his office, which the school points out is a violation of school policy. Also, according to Gonzalez’s letter, Smith reportedly smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated at a public appearance.
Upon receiving this letter, Elliott, in his own letter, according to a post on X from Charlie Fadel, sports editor of The Post, claims that Smith never engaged in any extramarital affairs and also stated that the school doesn’t have any policy that would prevent employees from dating students.
BREAKING: In public records requests obtained by @ThePost, Rex Elliott, Brian Smith’s attorney, responds to President Gonzalez, claiming that Smith never engaged in extra marital affairs, and that OU doesn’t have a policy preventing employees from dating students. https://t.co/lwuALVcVG6 pic.twitter.com/ygGuKKLtdI
— Charlie Fadel (@CharlieFadel) December 18, 2025
Elliott, in his letter, states that Ohio University has reached an “erroneous conclusion that will undoubtedly irreparably harm Coach Smith’s career. Indeed, due to these false allegations and the University’s tacit support of these allegations it is likely he can never come back from this and his career may well be over.”
Elliott states that Smith didn’t participate in an extramarital affair “and you know it.” Elliott also states that the school’s claim that Smith was “carrying on” is not true, and that the school knew that Smith was living at the Inn while going through a separation and eventual divorce from his ex-wife.
