COLUMBUS, OH. (WOWO) A former Ohio State University football coach has filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging he was discriminated against because of his gender. Joseph Lyberger, who served as a defensive quality control coach from 2021 to 2024, was terminated in April 2025 following a sexual harassment investigation, WCMH Columbus reports.

Court filings state that Lyberger’s attorneys contend the university relied on sex-based stereotypes in assessing his credibility and presumed him guilty without sufficient evidence. The lawsuit also alleges that Lyberger faced retaliatory conduct and explicit threats from coworkers during the investigation.

Lyberger began coaching at Ohio State in 2021 after working at Bucknell and Ohio Dominican, and he previously served as an assistant football and wrestling coach at Olentangy High School.

Ohio State University has declined to comment on the pending litigation, according to WCMH Columbus.