Fall at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio

Brian Smith and Sherrone Moore are both out of jobs now.

Ohio Bobcats football head coach Brian Smith was relieved of his duties with cause for a scandal with similarities to that of former Michigan Wolverines HC Sherrone Moore.

Last week, the Wolverines announced that Sherrone Moore was fired for an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member. On that same day, Moore was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of assault.

A day later, Moore appeared in court and was charged with the following: stalking, third-degree home invasion and breaking and entering. The victim was a Michigan staffer who had a relationship with Moore. The latter has been married to his wife, Kelli, since 2015.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Bobcats announced that Brian Smith had been relieved of his duties for violating “the terms of his employment agreement by engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.”

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Brian Smith was fired because of an affair with an undergraduate student. Smith is also accused of showing up to a public event while apparently intoxicatd:

“Ohio University fired head football coach Brian Smith after he admitted to having an extramarital affair with an undergraduate student, records obtained by The Dispatch show.

The university terminated Smith’s contract on Dec. 17 for cause. Smith had been placed on leave Dec. 1, and has vowed to fight his termination after just one season leading the Bobcats.

In a letter dated Dec. 12 to Smith from OU President Lori Stewart Gonzalez, Smith is accused of carrying on the relationship with the student on campus at the Ohio University Inn. In the letter, the university president also wrote that Smith participated in a public appearance where he smelled strongly of alcohol and appeared intoxicated.”

Rex Elliott, Smith’s attorney, claims that his client was in the process of divorcing his ex-wife when he began the relationship with the student. Elliott also states that there are no university rules prohibiting relationships between employees and students.

Brian Smith Spent Four Seasons At Ohio

Brian Smith, former Ohio Bobcats head football coachBrian Smith (Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Smith accepted an offer from the Bobcats to become their passing game coordinator/running backs coach in 2022. In 2023, he was given the title of associate head coach.

The Bobcats promoted Brian Smith to offensive coordinator in 2024. They liked what they saw and named him the new head coach for 2025, following Tim Albin’s departure to become the next head coach at Charlotte.

Ohio went 8-4 in the regular season, though the Ohio State Buckeyes were the only ranked team they faced. Ryan Day’s squad soundly won that game 37-9.

The Bobcats conclude their season against UNLV in the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23. John Hauser will finish the season as the interim head coach.