COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A member of the Ohio State football coaching staff is now under investigation by the university less than two weeks after the team won a national championship.
Multiple reports said that defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger is being investigated by Ohio State and has been on administrative paid leave since Dec. 27. The Associated Press obtained the letter from Ohio State’s human resources office informing Lyberger he would be placed on leave.
The letter also noted that he was under investigation by the university’s office of institutional equity but the letter didn’t specify the nature of the investigation. OSU’s office of institutional equity is used to respond to protected class discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, according to their website.
Lyberger has been a member of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff for the past four seasons after working as a defensive assistant for Bucknell and Ohio Dominican. Before moving to college coaching, he was an assistant football coach and assistant wrestling coach at Olentangy High School.
Lyberger’s attorney Sam Shamansky told the Associated Press he has received no indication on the length this investigation will take.
The Associated Press contributed to this report