The abrupt firing this week of Ohio University football coach Brian Smith has sparked a public dispute between the university and Smith’s legal team over allegations about his personal conduct — and put increased focus on his family life, including his marriage and separation from his wife, Liane Smith.
Smith was terminated for cause on Dec. 17, less than a year into his tenure as head coach, after an administrative review by the university cited “serious professional misconduct” and conduct that reflected unfavorably on the institution. The university’s letter to Smith referenced allegations of extramarital affairs, including one with an undergraduate student, and violations of internal policies, including those related to alcohol on campus.
In response, Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, has vehemently denied the affair allegation, saying Smith was separated from his wife and in the process of divorce when the relationship in question began and that he did not engage in an extramarital affair. Elliott also said the university had no clear policy barring a consensual relationship between an employee and an adult student and that Smith’s personal life was improperly used as grounds for his firing.
Smith’s wife, Liane Smith, has been referenced in public reporting as his partner through much of his tenure at Ohio University and a visible presence around the program. According to profiles published online, the couple met while Smith was playing college football and have a daughter together. Reports indicate that Liane Smith filed for divorce earlier this year, a matter that Smith’s attorney says has been conflated with the university’s investigation into his conduct.
Neither university officials nor Smith’s legal team have publicly released detailed documentation about the divorce proceedings or any statements from Liane Smith herself. There has been no confirmation from Ohio University that the divorce or family matters were factors in the administrative review that led to Smith’s firing.
Court filings show Brian Smith and his wife finalized their divorce on Dec. 9, 2025
The dispute has drawn scrutiny from college athletics observers, with commentators noting that many universities maintain strict rules about relationships between staff and students to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest. Ohio’s president has said the conduct in question brought disrepute to the university, while Smith’s lawyer argues the allegations are mischaracterized and that Smith’s dismissal was unwarranted. WVXU
Smith, who led the Bobcats to an 8-4 record this season, has vowed to contest his firing as wrongful; Ohio University has already appointed an interim coach and begun a national search for a permanent replacement as the Bobcats prepare for their upcoming bowl game.
