Ohio State football has fired defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger following an investigation, according to a termination letter The Columbus Dispatch obtained this week.
In the letter, which Ohio State issued on April 23, the university's office for civil rights compliance found Lyberger violated its policy prohibiting non-discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct. Lyberger had been on paid administrative leave since Dec. 27.
Following Lyberger's dismissal, Ohio State cannot rehire him, as the university has directed him to "return all university property, such as keys, credentials, BuckID, computer, files, etc."
The school declined the Dispatch’s request for comment, citing a personal matter. Lyberger’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, told the Dispatch the allegations against his client were “absurd” and said there was “zero evidence.”
Lyberger joined Ohio State's coaching staff in 2021 after two seasons as a defensive assistant at Bucknell. He also spent time as a graduate assistant at Ohio Dominican in Columbus and as a football and wrestling coach at Olentangy High School in Lewis Center. In 2016, Lyberger graduated from Slippery Rock, where he played linebacker for the Division II program in Pennsylvania.
