Ohio University fired coach Brian Smith for cause on Wednesday, saying Smith violated his contract by "engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University."
The school did not provide specifics on Smith's misconduct. Smith, who went 8-4 in his first regular season as Bobcats coach, had been placed on leave Dec. 1 for undisclosed reasons.
A message sent to Smith's attorney was not immediately returned.
Defensive coordinator John Hauser was named the interim coach when Smith was placed on leave and will lead Ohio on Dec. 23 in the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl against UNLV. Ohio said a search for a permanent head coach will begin immediately.
Smith, who was promoted from offensive coordinator last December after Tim Albin's departure to Charlotte, received a five-year contract through the 2029 season. If he had been fired without cause, he would have been owed about $2.5 million in remaining salary.
The 45-year-old Smith had coached at Ohio since 2022, after stops at Washington State and Hawai'i, where he played offensive line and was a long snapper from 1998 to 2001.
