Former CSU football coach fired from Temple after 6 women file sexual harassment lawsuits

A former CSU assistant football coach has been fired from his similar role at Temple University after six women filed civil lawsuits Wednesday alleging sexual harassment while they were dog sitting at his home.

The women are suing Antoine Smith, Temple University and the popular dog sitting app Rover. They say Smith, 47, used hidden cameras to watch them shower and sleep in his bed after they were hired to watch his dog through the Rover app.

Smith coached at Temple during the 2022 season.

A Temple University official responded to a Coloradoan email request regarding Smith's employment status: "While Temple University does not comment on personnel matters or pending litigation, we can confirm that Mr. Smith is no longer employed by the university. Temple is currently reviewing the complaint and will respond in the appropriate forum."

Lawyer Amanda Jonas Lorentson of McEldrew Purtell, the firm representing the women, told the Coloradoan in an email that she expects to file at least two more lawsuits in Colorado by the end of the month on behalf of women who say they were sexually harassed by Smith while he was employed at CSU.

The lawsuits claim the hidden cameras were discovered in wall clocks, a Bluetooth speaker, a digital alarm clock and an AC adapter at Smith's Philadelphia and Fort Collins homes.

The lawsuits also claim Temple officials were aware of the misconduct but did not take action against Smith. Temple said it is conducting an internal inquiry into the matter.

CSU is not named as a defendant in the initial six lawsuits, but the suits claim CSU knew or should have known of the sexual harassment allegations against Smith while he was employed by the university during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Smith was hired by then-head coach Steve Addazio, who was fired after the 2021 season amid a tumultuous two seasons. During that time, CSU Athletic Director Joe Parker and his athletic department came under investigation, and the football program's activities were temporarily suspended after the Coloradoan reported allegations of racial insensitivity by coaching staff and threats to cut playing time if athletes reported COVID-19 symptoms. CSU football players said Smith was the coach who threatened playing time if symptoms were reported.

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The lawsuits filed Wednesday claim Smith sexually harassed women on numerous occasions while in Fort Collins. Here are those allegations, according to the lawsuits:

• A female employee of The Elizabeth Hotel accused Smith of sexual harassment while he was staying at the hotel during his first week of employment at CSU. The complaint was reportedly brought directly to CSU, but no corrective action was taken.
• A female student at CSU reported Smith to CSU in February 2022, when he was still employed by the university. That student said she had been dog sitting for Smith and he had failed to pay her for her services. She also showed the CSU lawyer alleged suggestive and inappropriate comments in messages from Smith. The student expressed fear about reporting Smith because of potential repercussions but was told the conduct was improper and she should take appropriate legal action.
• Other claims during Smith's employment at CSU include sexual harassment of female staff members, female students, members of the cheerleading team and girlfriends of players on the football team. He is also accused of offering a CSU football team student intern money in exchange for sex.

An email that Lorentson shared with the Coloradoan previously, in which name of the former CSU student who reported Smith is redacted, stated: "I watched Antoine Smith's dog Legend for a full year while he was a coach at Colorado State University. Both the clock & that adapter thing were in his bedroom & bathroom. I am utterly disgusted. (He) asked for me to watch his dog on away games, and to routinely check on him during the day. He had made several inappropriate remarks towards me."

Philadelphia police are conducting an investigation into the case, but Smith has not been arrested and no charges have been filed, according to the Inquirer.

Fort Collins police told the Coloradoan previously the department has not received reports of any such allegations against Smith.

CSU previously stated in an email it was made aware of the allegations but is not aware of any reports of similar alleged conduct by Smith. 

Smith could not be reached for comment.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Criminal charges related to these accusations have not been filed as of Thursday morning.