Ohio cites 'extramarital affairs,' alcohol use in firing Smith - ESPN

Ohio University cited football coach Brian Smith's romantic relationships, including one he admitted to with a student, as well as an allegation of public intoxication in a letter stating its intent to fire him for cause.

Smith, put on leave Dec. 1, was fired Wednesday for what the university called «serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.» The school did not provide specifics on Smith's misconduct before Thursday.

In the intent to terminate letter, obtained by multiple media outlets through a public records requests, university president Lori Stewart Gonzalez wrote that Smith's «extramarital affairs,» including one with an undergraduate student, brought «disrepute, scandal and ridicule,» which violated his employment agreement with the school.

Gonzalez also wrote that Smith told athletic director Slade Larscheid that he «carried on an affair» while at the Ohio University Inn, where he could be observed by athletes' families, donors and others connected to the university. Smith had been under contract through the 2029 season and was owed about $2.5 million in remaining salary.

Rex Elliott, Smith's attorney, responded in a letter to Gonzalez, obtained by media outlets through a records requests, and stated that Smith «didn't participate in an extramarital affair and you know it.» Elliott added that Smith and his wife separated earlier this year, were going through a divorce and were living apart during the fall. Smith had been living at the OU Inn while looking for permanent housing and had told Larscheid that he saw athletes' families there while with a 41-year-old woman he was seeing at the time, after he broke off the relationship with the Ohio