Eric Boggs
Ohio State University has officially terminated defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger following an investigation conducted by its Office of Institutional Equity. The investigation concluded that Lyberger violated the university’s non-discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct policies, according to a termination letter dated April 23 and obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.
Lyberger had been placed on paid administrative leave on December 27, following the university’s receipt of allegations. At that time, he was instructed to stay away from all team facilities and return all university property, including keys, ID credentials, electronic equipment, and documents. The university emphasized that Lyberger is permanently barred from re-employment with Ohio State.
As a member of the Buckeyes’ football support staff, Lyberger primarily worked with the linebackers. His departure comes shortly after Ohio State capped its 2024 season with a national championship victory over Notre Dame and in the same week that former Buckeye defensive coordinator Jim Knowles accepted a new role at Penn State.
Lyberger’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, has strongly contested the findings, calling the allegations “absurd” and claiming there is “zero evidence” to support the university’s decision. Shamansky criticized the university’s handling of the matter, claiming his client was kept in the dark about the nature of the accusations. “Can you imagine being in a criminal justice system and not knowing exactly what you’re accused of doing?” he told ESPN. “If you’ve got evidence, show it.”
Lyberger had been with Ohio State since 2021 and was in his fourth season on staff. Prior to his time in Columbus, he worked as a defensive assistant at Bucknell and a graduate assistant at Ohio Dominican University, where he contributed to a 9-2 season. His coaching background also includes experience at Olentangy High School, where he coached football and wrestling. A 2016 graduate of Slippery Rock University, Lyberger played linebacker and earned a business administration degree with a marketing focus. He had also been pursuing an MBA at Ohio Dominican.
Ohio State has declined to comment publicly on the matter, stating it is a personnel issue. While Buckeye Nation remains proud of the team’s recent success, this development is an unfortunate and serious matter that the university has handled within its institutional protocols. A far cry from how rival University of Michigan has gone about allegations of wrong doing within it’s football program.
