Urban Meyer’s three-game suspension has officially ended and the 54-year-old will reclaim his job as Buckeye’s head coach in the team’s lead-up to Saturday’s game against Tulane.
Meyer was suspended for his handling, or lack thereof, of domestic abuse allegations against former OSU wide receivers coach Zach Smith. Back in 2009, Meyer’s wife Shelley had been texting with Smith’s then-wife Courtney Smith saying that she feared Zach. Shelley never reported anything to the authorities, but not long after, Smith was arrested for a domestic violence incident. Regardless, Urban Meyer hired Smith in 2012 to have someone familiar with his offense, a decision he now calls a “bad” one.
Meyer denies knowing about the text message exchange until a few months ago.
Oh, and then there was a criminal trespassing and domestic violence allegation in 2015 against Smith that was not pursued by police.
“I probably should’ve fired him,” Meyer said.
Well, Meyer got his slap on the wrist and the Buckeyes have rolled to a 3-0 record. It will be business as usual come Saturday. But, in an attempt to put this incident behind him, Meyer posted an apology on Twitter Monday morning. Here it is:
Reactions to Urban’s statement were plentiful, albeit mixed.
What do you guys think? How did punishment match the crime? Is Urban sincere? OSU seems to think so.
[h/t Saturday Down South]