COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State has fired Olympic champion Paul Hamm following his arrest on assault charges, saying he failed to meet the “high standards” the university has for its coaches.
The termination is effective immediately, athletic director Gene Smith said Friday. Hamm had been an assistant gymnastics coach at Ohio State since June.
Hamm was charged Saturday with assault and two other misdemeanors, accused of hitting and kicking a taxi driver in suburban Columbus, damaging a cab window and refusing to pay a $23 fare. The 28-year-old is heard on an Upper Arlington police video telling officers he’d had about eight drinks.
Hamm is free on bond pending a Thursday arraignment.
