Ohio State placed defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger on administrative leave last month following an investigation by the university’s Office of Institutional Equity, which handles complaints of harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct.
A letter sent to Lyberger on Dec. 27 from Ohio State’s human resources department — which was obtained by Buckeye Sports Bulletin on Wednesday via a public records request — said his leave was to take effect immediately and he would not be allowed on Ohio State’s facilities on leave.
This means that he wasn’t with the program for Ohio State’s final three College Football Playoff games, missing the Buckeyes’ win over Oregon at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, Texas at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 and Notre Dame in the national championship game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
It did not offer further details on the allegations that led to the investigation.
“My client and I take any allegation of wrongdoing very seriously,” Sam Shamansky, an attorney representing Lyberger, told The Dispatch. “We respect the process whereby those who are accused have the opportunity to defend themselves, and we look forward to the opportunity.”
Lyberger, whose salary was $72,100 in 2024 according to university salary data, has been placed on leave with pay.
Lyberger was in his fourth year on Ohio State’s coaching staff after previously serving in defensive assistant roles at Bucknell and Ohio Dominican University. The Slippery Rock graduate and former Olentangy High School assistant wrestling coach worked primarily with the linebackers while with the Buckeyes.
