COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former member of Ohio State’s football program is now suing the university, claiming he was discriminated against because he is a male.
Former defensive quality control coach Joseph Lyberger was fired last April following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him.
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In court documents, Lieberg’s attorneys argued that the school considered him guilty because of his gender and a lack of evidence against him.
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A letter terminating Lyberg from Ohio State’s Office of Compliance and Integrity provides some details about why he was fired. The investigation found that Lyberg violated sexual harassment and stalking policies in an interaction with a co-worker between August and December 2024, the letter said.
“The state of Ohio relied on gender-based stereotypes when assessing credibility and presumed guilt based on Mr. Lyberg’s gender,” Lyberg’s attorneys said in a statement. The statement further alleged that Lyberg was the victim of “reports of harassment, explicit threats to ‘ruin’ his career, and retaliatory behavior by co-workers.”
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Lieberg will be part of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff starting in 2021 after serving as a defensive assistant at Bucknell and Ohio State Dominican. Prior to his time as a college coach, he served as an assistant football coach and assistant wrestling coach at Olentangy High School.
The university said it does not comment on pending litigation.
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