Ohio State Football Coach Placed on Leave Amid Misconduct Investigation

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University placed defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger on administrative leave last month amid an investigation into allegations of harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct, according to university records obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.

A Dec. 27 letter from Ohio State’s human resources department informed Lyberger that his leave was effective immediately and pending the outcome of an investigation by the university’s Office of Institutional Equity. The letter did not specify the nature of the allegations against him.

“My client and I take any allegation of wrongdoing very seriously,” said Sam Shamansky, Lyberger’s attorney. “We respect the process whereby those who are accused have the opportunity to defend themselves, and we look forward to the opportunity.”

Lyberger, who has been on paid leave since December, earned $72,100 in 2024, according to university salary data. He is prohibited from entering Ohio State facilities, including the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, during the investigation.

Lyberger joined the Buckeyes’ staff in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach, working primarily with linebackers. Before Ohio State, he served as an assistant coach at Bucknell University (2020-2019) and Ohio Dominican University (2018). He played linebacker at Division II Slippery Rock University in 2015.

The investigation comes as Ohio State’s football program adjusts to recent NCAA rule changes. Last June, the NCAA lifted restrictions on the on-field involvement of support staff, including quality control coaches, program assistants, and analysts. Previously, only the head coach, 10 primary assistants, and four graduate assistants were permitted to provide on-field instruction.

Ohio State’s defensive staff includes two other quality control coaches, Sam McGrath and Brent Zdebski, who joined the program in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Both previously worked with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Duke and Oklahoma State. Knowles recently left Ohio State to become the defensive coordinator at Penn State.

The university declined to comment on the status of the investigation or provide further details about the allegations against Lyberger.