Less than a month before the college football season kicks off, one of the top programs in the country is facing controversy involving their head coach. The Ohio State Buckeyes placed Urban Meyer on paid administrative leave on Wednesday after a report came out that he and people close to him knew of a 2015 domestic violence issue involving one of his assistant coaches at the time.
The reports came out earlier Wednesday, as Courtney Smith revealed that Meyer and others on the coaching staff knew of the domestic violence issues she was having with her now ex-husband, and Buckeyes assistant coach, Zach Smith. The now former assistant coach was fired in July and this story came out when it was posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
While the investigation continues, offensive coordinator Ryan Day will play the role of acting head coach until Meyer returns. Smith told ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy that "all the coaches' wives knew, all of them." That led her to saying that she believes Meyer knew as well, with his wife, Shelley, knowing the most about the incident.
According to Courtney Smith, one of many situations even went as far as Meyer's special assistant Hiram de Fries telling her not to press charges against Zach Smith. This came back in 2009 after domestic violence incident in Florida, while Meyer was the head coach of the Florida Gators, and Smith worked for him as an intern on the team. She did not press charges in 2009.
More incidents took place from 2012-2018, according to Powell police, and as all of these accusations came out, that would lead to Smith's firing on July 23rd. The head coach denied knowing of this situation on July 25th, saying "I was never told anything." He did call the decision to fire his assistant "a tough call." There is no word on any type of timetable for Meyer's absence, but the Buckeyes do open up the season on September 1st at home against Oregon State.
The reports came out earlier Wednesday, as Courtney Smith revealed that Meyer and others on the coaching staff knew of the domestic violence issues she was having with her now ex-husband, and Buckeyes assistant coach, Zach Smith. The now former assistant coach was fired in July and this story came out when it was posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
While the investigation continues, offensive coordinator Ryan Day will play the role of acting head coach until Meyer returns. Smith told ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy that "all the coaches' wives knew, all of them." That led her to saying that she believes Meyer knew as well, with his wife, Shelley, knowing the most about the incident.
According to Courtney Smith, one of many situations even went as far as Meyer's special assistant Hiram de Fries telling her not to press charges against Zach Smith. This came back in 2009 after domestic violence incident in Florida, while Meyer was the head coach of the Florida Gators, and Smith worked for him as an intern on the team. She did not press charges in 2009.
More incidents took place from 2012-2018, according to Powell police, and as all of these accusations came out, that would lead to Smith's firing on July 23rd. The head coach denied knowing of this situation on July 25th, saying "I was never told anything." He did call the decision to fire his assistant "a tough call." There is no word on any type of timetable for Meyer's absence, but the Buckeyes do open up the season on September 1st at home against Oregon State.
