By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Ohio Bobcats saw a slight regression under first-year head coach Brian Smith in 2025.
Ohio won 10 games each of its previous three seasons and the MAC Championship in 2024 under former head coach Tim Albin, who departed at the end of last season to take the head-coaching job at Charlotte.
Associate head coach/offensive coordinator Brian Smith filled in as interim head coach before getting the job on a permanent basis a week later.
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By most accounts, Smith did an admirable job in his first season, leading the Bobcats to an 8-4 record with wins in five of their last six games to close out the season and reach bowl eligibility.
However, things took a shocking turn on Monday night when the school—without reason—placed Smith on mandatory leave for an “undetermined period of time.” The school also announced associate head coach/defensive coordinator Jeff Hauser was named the interim head coach in Smith’s absence.
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“John Hauser has been named Interim Head Coach of the Ohio football program,” a statement from the university read. “Hauser has served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator for the Bobcats since December 2024 and has been with the team since 2022. Head Coach Brian Smith will be on leave for an undetermined period of time beginning December 1.”
Per Charlie Fadel of The Post, a student-run independent publication covering Ohio University, the school did not divulge any details about Smith’s absence or whether or not it was paid or unpaid.
“I was told that there is ‘no information to share beyond the posted announcement at this time,’” Fadel wrote on X.
Hauser will presumably coach the Bobcats in their upcoming bowl game. Their opponent will be announced at a later date after the College Football Playoff field is hashed out on Dec. 7.
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