Former Ohio University football coach Brian Smith has fired back at the school that fired him, filing a wrongful termination lawsuit that claims the university rushed to judgment and destroyed his career in the process.

Smith, who was dismissed in December, alleges in the lawsuit—filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and obtained by CBS Sports—that the university breached his employment contract by terminating him for cause without a fair investigation. The suit seeks the remaining balance on his contract and argues that the school acted on unproven allegations.

"This case arises from Ohio University's decision to destroy the career and reputation of its head football coach first and justify it later," the complaint reads.

The university announced on Dec. 17 that Smith was fired for cause following what it described as an administrative review into "serious professional misconduct" and conduct that reflected poorly on the institution. Smith had been placed on leave earlier that month, with defensive coordinator John Hauser stepping in as interim coach.

According to records obtained by The Associated Press, the university cited alleged extramarital affairs—including one with a graduate student—and alcohol-related conduct, such as appearing intoxicated at a public event and using alcohol in his office. University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez wrote in a termination notice that Smith brought "disrepute, scandal and ridicule" to the school.

But Smith's lawsuit pushes back hard, arguing that Ohio failed to follow the standards required under his contract before firing him. The complaint says the university terminated Smith "in a matter of days" without completing any meaningful investigation. It further alleges that the school publicly linked Smith to accusations of sexual misconduct, moral turpitude, and professional unfitness, even though those allegations were "never adjudicated, never proven, and never subjected to the fair and contractual process OU promised."

The lawsuit also claims the university improperly used a prior corrective reprimand as part of its case. Ohio University has not yet responded to requests for comment.

This legal battle adds another layer of drama to a program that was already navigating an unexpected coaching transition. For fans and followers of college football, it's a reminder that what happens off the field can be just as intense as the action on it—and that the right gear, from sideline apparel to game-day essentials, is key for weathering any season's ups and downs.