Ohio University Fires Coach

Ohio University fired head football coach Brian Smith for cause, a little more than two weeks after placing him on indefinite leave.

In documents obtained by Front Office Sports, the university alleged that Smith had a four-month extramarital affair with an undergraduate student and repeatedly drank alcohol in his office.

Smith’s attorney denied that Smith had an extramarital affair, saying that the relationship began after Smith and his wife separated. The attorney also said that the relationship didn’t violate school policy and that Smith was never intoxicated at university events.

In a statement, Smith’s attorney said they “vigorously dispute” the school’s grounds for dismissal, and that they plan to challenge what they called a “wrongful termination” to protect Smith’s name.

European Company Coming to Ohio

Engelbert Strauss Inc., a European workwear manufacturer known as Strauss, plans to establish its U.S. headquarters and development center in Columbus’ Arena District.

The company expects to create 30 jobs at the Columbus office, which will include a showroom for its signature products. Operations are expected to begin in early 2026.

International companies account for nearly one-third of active projects with One Columbus.

Strauss was founded in Germany in 1948 and remains headquartered there. Its products include workplace apparel, footwear, tool bags, and other gear.

Ohio’s Rockettes Hit Stage

Nadia Kolda, of Westerville, and McKenzie McGrath, of New Albany, said their admiration for the Rockettes began when they started dancing as children.

“Everything that got us here, you know, is from our roots in Ohio,” Kolda said. She began dancing at age 3 at Generations Performing Arts Center.

Performances of this year’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular run through Jan. 5, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

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➤ Kettering: Officials announced CodeRED by Crisis24 as its new emergency alert system after last month’s cyberattack on the OnSolve CodeRED platform. (More)

➤ Central Ohio: OhioHealth will install metal detectors and begin purse and bag checks at hospitals, emergency departments, and 26 care sites in early 2026 to strengthen its weapons-free workplace safety initiative. (More)

➤ Westerville: A Westerville police officer was injured during a Delaware Tactical Unit training exercise in Whitehall after another officer’s firearm accidentally discharged, striking the officer’s hand and thigh. (More)

➤ Columbus: City officials approved legislation limiting how historic neighborhoods, such as German Village, can influence public infrastructure projects. (More)

➤ Cleveland: The North Coast Waterfront Development Corp. selected Brecksville-based DiGeronimo Development to develop the 50-acre waterfront site that includes the Cleveland Browns’ stadium. (More)

➤ Toledo: Residents can drop off live Christmas trees at six city parks through Jan. 31, provided the trees are free of lights, ornaments, and other decorations. (See Locations)

➤ Former Ohio State and NFL wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was named head coach of the UFL’s Columbus Aviators, which begin play in March 2026. (More)

➤ The Cleveland Monsters, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ minor league affiliate, will host the 2027 American Hockey League All-Star Classic at Rocket Arena on Feb. 7–8. (More)

➤ Ohio State’s baseball team will play a regular-season game at Huntington Park—home of the Columbus Clippers—for the first time on May 8, against Michigan State. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Cooper Standard Automotive announced it will close its New Lexington plant, laying off 228 employees as the shutdown begins around Feb. 6, and continues through July 1, 2027. (More)

➤ Menards agreed to pay $4.25 million to Ohio and nine other states to settle claims that its rebate advertising misled customers by suggesting they’d receive immediate discounts at checkout. (More)

➤ Wawa, a Pennsylvania-based gas station and convenience store chain, opened its first Montgomery County location at 4949 Chambersburg Road in Huber Heights, giving the first 250 customers free T-shirts. (More)

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➤ A pilot flying from Bowling Green traced a massive Nativity scene across northern Ohio, turning a holiday flight into an homage to the season’s true meaning. (See Nativity)

➤ A Fairfield Township police officer captured an escaped peacock in Butler County and returned the bird to its owners after snapping a couple of photos. (See Peacock)

➤ Pickerington’s Combustion Brewery and Taproom announced a policy banning non-service animals after dogs bit staff members and children at the brewery. (More)

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Have you ever seen the Rockettes perform in person?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever opened a time capsule?

1. No: 40%
2. Yes: 30%
3. Waiting for one: 30%

Which Big Ten football record does Ted Ginn Jr. hold?

Show me the answer