Ohio Bobcats football promotes DC John Hauser to head coach

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Ohio University football interim head coach John Hauser, a Columbus native, is losing the interim tag and being promoted, the school announced Dec. 26.

Hauser led the Bobcats past UNLV 17-10 in the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23. During the trophy presentation, Ohio players chanted “Hire Hauser!” to show support for their defensive coordinator, who has been with the program since 2022.

The hiring comes in the wake of former head coach Brian Smith’s sudden dismissal from the program Dec. 17 after he was placed on administrative leave at the beginning of the month. While the cause of the firing was left unstated, Smith’s personnel file revealed the school had previously alleged that the coach violated the school’s drug and alcohol policy. Smith also admitted, via a statement from his lawyer, to having an extramarital affair with a student.

Without Smith on the sidelines, Hauser led the Bobcats to their seventh straight bowl game victory.

Hauser, who joined Smith’s staff as a safeties coach in 2022, was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2024 season. He had a successful first year as a coordinator, leading the fifth-best run defense in the nation. His success resulted in him being awarded the title of associate head coach in December 2024.

Before joining the Bobcats, Hauser was previously an assistant at Miami (OH), The Citadel and Division II Wayne State. He is a graduate of Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio University football names John Hauser as new head coach

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