There was a thread a while back with the title "Worrying Situation" -- the contents of which were deleted for violating board posting policy. Basically, a poster passed on a bunch of second hand rumors about personal life things re: Smith and suggested something along these lines would happen.
I don't remember the details and the post didn't have enough details to make anything clear anyhow.
I do remember that now that you mention it, good call.
The timing, just like Albin and his diseased dog, is just too suspicious. There isn't a week on the calendar more juicy for coaching changes than right now as we sit. Would be quite a coincidence to have some personal and/or health matter pop up right now, the "black Monday" of college football.
He is an extremely Pacific guy in every way, I honestly have never heard the story how he ended up at Ohio. He may also have decided he doesn't love the head gig. I wouldn't be surprised if he is entertaining various Coordinator options, and perhaps our new AD wanted to place him on leave while that is going on?
All purely theorizing...