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Topic: Smith has been fired
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mf279801
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Posted: 12/21/2025 8:28 PM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Just to lay it all out, as far as I can tell right now. . .

The letter from the University states the following as their rationale:

1. Smith had an extra-marital affair/
2. Smith had a relationship with an undergrad.
3. Smith had a relationship with a 41 year old woman.
4. He was witnessed at the OU Inn -- which I think is University property -- by a football player's parents. He seems to have acknowledged this to the AD.
5. He was intoxicated at a public event where he was representing the University.

The response to that letter from his lawyer claims:

1. There was no extra-marital affair because he was separated from his wife.
2. Smith had a relationship with an undergrad for 4 months.
3. He didn't know she was an undergrad.
4. There's no policy against that.
5. He also had a relationship with a 41 year old woman, and the parent of a football player saw him with that woman at the OU Inn.
6. He was living at the OU Inn
7. He wasn't drunk at any events.

I think that's the full range right now.
not sure I want some 40 year old guy that can't figure out his 20 something girlfriend is a college student when she goes to a nursing program in a college town
I haven’t seen an age reported for the undergrad. Big difference between an 18-22 year old traditional student and a 30 or 40 year old non-traditional undergrad. Apologies if i missed an updated version of the story
Legal is also legal. Don’t enforce your moral code upon others.
Where am I enforcing a moral code upon others, or stating that age matters among consenting adults, Billy and LC?

I'm quite clearly replying to a commenter who says he doesn't want a coach who "can't figure out [that] his 20 something girlfriend is a college student...in a college town". Was said undergraduate a 20-something, or was she 30- or 40-something? Pretty big difference in the ease with which one would deduce she was/was not an undergraduate.

I think that the undergrad's age is directly relevant (i.e. a "big difference") if we're making fun of the guy for not assuming the woman in question was a college student or not.
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Posted: 12/21/2025 8:54 PM
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OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
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Posted: 12/22/2025 12:11 AM
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L.C. wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 12/22/2025 7:39 AM
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mf279801 wrote:expand_more
Just to lay it all out, as far as I can tell right now. . .

The letter from the University states the following as their rationale:

1. Smith had an extra-marital affair/
2. Smith had a relationship with an undergrad.
3. Smith had a relationship with a 41 year old woman.
4. He was witnessed at the OU Inn -- which I think is University property -- by a football player's parents. He seems to have acknowledged this to the AD.
5. He was intoxicated at a public event where he was representing the University.

The response to that letter from his lawyer claims:

1. There was no extra-marital affair because he was separated from his wife.
2. Smith had a relationship with an undergrad for 4 months.
3. He didn't know she was an undergrad.
4. There's no policy against that.
5. He also had a relationship with a 41 year old woman, and the parent of a football player saw him with that woman at the OU Inn.
6. He was living at the OU Inn
7. He wasn't drunk at any events.

I think that's the full range right now.
not sure I want some 40 year old guy that can't figure out his 20 something girlfriend is a college student when she goes to a nursing program in a college town
I haven’t seen an age reported for the undergrad. Big difference between an 18-22 year old traditional student and a 30 or 40 year old non-traditional undergrad. Apologies if i missed an updated version of the story
Legal is also legal. Don’t enforce your moral code upon others.
Where am I enforcing a moral code upon others, or stating that age matters among consenting adults, Billy and LC?

I'm quite clearly replying to a commenter who says he doesn't want a coach who "can't figure out [that] his 20 something girlfriend is a college student...in a college town". Was said undergraduate a 20-something, or was she 30- or 40-something? Pretty big difference in the ease with which one would deduce she was/was not an undergraduate.

I think that the undergrad's age is directly relevant (i.e. a "big difference") if we're making fun of the guy for not assuming the woman in question was a college student or not.

There's little ambiguity that there are two women we're aware of. An undergrad about is the age undergrads typically are, and a different 40 something woman.
Mike Coleman
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Posted: 12/22/2025 8:26 AM
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BryanHall wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
BryanHall
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Posted: 12/22/2025 10:12 AM
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Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
Mike Coleman
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Posted: 12/22/2025 11:43 AM
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BryanHall wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
Agree 100%.

I tend to believe the administration got the feeling the ship was heading in the wrong direction (Ick factor), changed leadership as soon as they felt they legally could because of timing issues like the portal, with the full understanding there would have to be a fairly large settlement, but that it was worth it.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 12/22/2025 11:44 AM
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BryanHall wrote:expand_more
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
How do we know the dates associated with the affairs or how many affairs there were?
stockercat
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Posted: 12/22/2025 1:35 PM
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Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
Agree 100%.

I tend to believe the administration got the feeling the ship was heading in the wrong direction (Ick factor), changed leadership as soon as they felt they legally could because of timing issues like the portal, with the full understanding there would have to be a fairly large settlement, but that it was worth it.
Wouldn't it have been easier to just not sign the contract? String him along until the end of the season and then take action. Without a signed contract, the buyout question would not exist.
GoCats105
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Posted: 12/22/2025 1:54 PM
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stockercat wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
Agree 100%.

I tend to believe the administration got the feeling the ship was heading in the wrong direction (Ick factor), changed leadership as soon as they felt they legally could because of timing issues like the portal, with the full understanding there would have to be a fairly large settlement, but that it was worth it.
Wouldn't it have been easier to just not sign the contract? String him along until the end of the season and then take action. Without a signed contract, the buyout question would not exist.
This is actually an excellent question because his contract wasn't signed until October 10th. If there was ANY suspicion that this stuff was going on prior to that, why the hell would they even present him with a contract?
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 12/22/2025 2:13 PM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
OK, mf, I can see that, however, even if she was an older student, I find it difficult to believe that it never came up. No one asked "what do you do for a living"? Even then, if it's really not against University policy, why bother claiming that "he didn't know"?
I thought the claim was "he didn't know" when he first met her. I think it was to imply he wasn't cruising for sophomores at drink and drown (I know that dates me) when they met.
Correct. There is a bit of redacting at this point in the letter. My guess is it's something that could be used for identification.

But it is lawyer posturing. I'm sure he knew pretty quick.
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
Agree 100%.

I tend to believe the administration got the feeling the ship was heading in the wrong direction (Ick factor), changed leadership as soon as they felt they legally could because of timing issues like the portal, with the full understanding there would have to be a fairly large settlement, but that it was worth it.
Wouldn't it have been easier to just not sign the contract? String him along until the end of the season and then take action. Without a signed contract, the buyout question would not exist.
This is actually an excellent question because his contract wasn't signed until October 10th. If there was ANY suspicion that this stuff was going on prior to that, why the hell would they even present him with a contract?
Perhaps Slade was not given a proper brieifing by those in the know. I would not fault him as new as he was to the job at that point. Seems that there might have been a communications problem somewhere. Just a guess from the cheap seats.
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Posted: 12/22/2025 4:41 PM
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
How do we know the dates associated with the affairs or how many affairs there were?
My assumption was based on Smith's court filings, which stated that the leave was based on something unrelated to the divorce filing.
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Posted: 12/22/2025 5:08 PM
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Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
Smith was fired for the Ick.

But he will make plenty of money for it.
He will definitely make plenty of $$ off of it.
Will affect the search and hire of the next coach I imagine.
If you have to hire a new HC and a whole new staff and pay out the old staff to go away. AND play all new players…AND pay some sort of settlement with Brian.
The fans better get their checkbooks out. The fundraising emails are about to start!! LOL
Hauser may not only be the best choice for HC, he may also be the cheapest (which in Bobcat land is usually the “best!”).
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 12/22/2025 5:44 PM
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BryanHall wrote:expand_more
I think that posturing occurred in both letters. Calling them extramarital affairs when they came months after his wife filed for divorce is technically accurate, but it is basically an attempt to exaggerate the charges.
How do we know the dates associated with the affairs or how many affairs there were?
My assumption was based on Smith's court filings, which stated that the leave was based on something unrelated to the divorce filing.
I wouldn't put much stock in that. Everybody -- Smith, Smith's ex, their kids -- are better off if he's employed and/or paid out well as part of his termination. Both parties have a financial incentive to say so.
Last Edited: 12/22/2025 5:46:44 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
cc-cat
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Posted: 12/24/2025 12:15 AM
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HIRE HAUSER !!!!!!!!!!
Last Edited: 12/24/2025 12:20:04 AM by cc-cat
Cats5
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Posted: 5/8/2026 11:08 AM
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Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 5/8/2026 11:15 AM
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Cats5 wrote:expand_more
Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
This is going to get interesting!
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Posted: 5/8/2026 2:46 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
This is going to get interesting!
Synonym to bump: messy
Last Edited: 5/8/2026 2:46:32 PM by Mike Johnson
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 5/8/2026 3:39 PM
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Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
This is going to get interesting!
Synonym to bump: messy
I suspect an out-of-court settlement. I doubt that this ever gets to court, unless the university decides to play hardball. Smith won't want this to go to court as it would then get really messy, and not to his benefit. So, the most likely outcome, I would surmise would be an out-of-court settlement for a portion of the funds that would have been due him had he stayed employeed for his full contract period.
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Posted: 5/9/2026 7:51 AM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
This is going to get interesting!
Synonym to bump: messy
I suspect an out-of-court settlement. I doubt that this ever gets to court, unless the university decides to play hardball. Smith won't want this to go to court as it would then get really messy, and not to his benefit. So, the most likely outcome, I would surmise would be an out-of-court settlement for a portion of the funds that would have been due him had he stayed employeed for his full contract period.
You speak like you know it all. Smith has a very very solid case here,
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 5/9/2026 10:35 AM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Bump. He’s officially suing the university.
This is going to get interesting!
Synonym to bump: messy
I suspect an out-of-court settlement. I doubt that this ever gets to court, unless the university decides to play hardball. Smith won't want this to go to court as it would then get really messy, and not to his benefit. So, the most likely outcome, I would surmise would be an out-of-court settlement for a portion of the funds that would have been due him had he stayed employeed for his full contract period.
You speak like you know it all. Smith has a very very solid case here,
We shall see!
Alan Swank
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Posted: 5/9/2026 12:59 PM
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Assuming the reporting is accurate, this article lays it our very clearly:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/48712246...
Deciduous Forest Cat
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Posted: 5/9/2026 1:34 PM
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I'm team Smith. I hope he wins. Haven't heard anything to justify the university firing him. Throw in the apparent hypocrisy around it all. This looks bad on the university and makes us a less appealing destination under this administration.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 5/9/2026 2:37 PM
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Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Assuming the reporting is accurate, this article lays it our very clearly:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/48712246...
You realize that this is just one side's view?
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Posted: 5/9/2026 3:25 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Assuming the reporting is accurate, this article lays it our very clearly:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/48712246...
You realize that this is just one side's view?
What you seem to be failing to understand is that regardless if he did some stupid things, or some embarrassing things, the University still has to follow contract law and have proper reasons. If they had that they should have publicly expressed those. What they expressed was not grounds for what they did. The basketball player also has a seemingly great shot at owning a piece of the Univeraity. Especially with NIL, you can now put values on the damages.
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