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Last month, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer was forced to take an administrative leave after journalist Brett McMurphy dropped a bombshell report alleging that Meyer knew about 2015 domestic abuse allegations of a member of his coaching staff, Zach Smith.
Via Brett McMurphy
Text messages I have obtained, an exclusive interview with the victim and other information I have learned shows Ohio State coach Urban Meyer knew in 2015 of domestic abuse allegations against a member of his coaching staff.
Courtney Smith, ex-wife of fired Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith, provided text messages between her and the wives of Ohio State coaches – including Urban Meyer’s wife, Shelley – showing Meyer’s knowledge of the situation.
Meyer said last week during Big Ten Media Days that he had no knowledge of two alleged domestic violence incidents in 2015 with former assistant wide receivers coach Zach Smith that were investigated by the Powell (Ohio) Police Department.
After a two week independent investigation, Ohio State chose to suspend Meyer for the first three games of the season.
Urban Meyer suspended for Ohio State’s 1st three games vs. Oregon State, Rutgers & TCU. AD Gene Smith suspended w/out pay from Aug. 31-Sept. 16
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/DanWetzel/status/1032431309803712517
Ohio State released a statement that they felt Meyer did not condone or cover up domestic abuse but was aware and failed to take sufficient management action.
Although neither Urban Meyer nor Gene Smith condoned or covered up alleged domestic abuse by Zach Smith, they failed to take sufficient management action relating to Zach’s misconduct & retained an Assistant who wasn’t performing as an appropriate role model for student-athletes
Mary Jo White: Urban Meyer was aware of 2015 domestic violence allegations, he was informed of them by Gene Smith; both Meyer & Smith monitored the investigation for months. Gene Smith didn’t contact Ohio State compliance about the Smith domestic violence allegations
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 23, 2018
"Although neither Urban Meyer nor Gene Smith condoned or covered up the alleged domestic abuse by Zach Smith, they failed to take sufficient management action."
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 23, 2018
Urban Meyer: “I am fully aware of the situation that has harmed the university as a whole. I followed by heart, not my head. I gave Zach Smith the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t know everything about what Zach Smith was doing. I should have recognized the red flags"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 23, 2018