Sports
Ohio Football Head Coach Brian Smith on leave, John Hauser named interim
By: Andrew Bowlby, Grant Kiefer
Posted on:
(UPDATE 12/4/25 2:20 p.m.) According to Brian Smith’s attorney, Smith has still not been provided with a formal reason for why he is on leave.
The attorney also claimed that Smith “remains on leave, voluntarily, at the university’s request, with pay.” And said that Smith remains optimistic about the future of Ohio Football and looks forward to getting back on the field with his players and coaches as soon as possible.
The university declined to comment on this statement from Smith’s attorney.
(UPDATE 12/4/25 12:40 p.m.) According to court documents now under seal, Brian Smith’s ongoing divorce case is not directly tied to his leave at Ohio University.
“Nothing Plaintiff has alleged is the cause of (Smith’s) current situation at Ohio university, where he has been placed on interim leave,” the filling read. The Plaintiff also claims in the filing they do not know what the cause of his leave is.
This update follows the attorney for Smith claiming they do not know why Smith was placed on leave when WOUB spoke to the attorney on Dec. 2.
The university continued to decline to comment on this matter.
(UPDATE 12/2/25 2:39 p.m.) According to Brian Smith’s attorney, Smith was asked to leave in the middle of the workday on Dec. 1. His attorney claims he was not given any information as to why he was being put on leave, as they also went on to say no allegations or charges have been brought against Smith at this time.
His attorney says Smith is currently on paid leave, and they deny all wrongdoing and will fight any allegations brought against him.
The university declined to comment further than the posted announcement on Dec. 1.
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Football head coach Brian Smith is on leave for an undetermined period of time and defensive coordinator John Hauser has been named the team’s interim head coach.
Ohio Athletics’ official release did not cite a reason for the decision.
Smith is in his first season as head coach with Ohio and led the Bobcats to a 8-4 regular season record.
Hauser has been part of the Ohio Football staff since the 2022 season and was named the associate head coach before the 2024 Cure Bowl.
Ohio Football awaits their bowl game selection for the 2025 season.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.