Urban Meyer Admits He Knew About Abuse Allegations Against His Ex-Coach
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer all but admitted that he knew about the abuse allegations against an assistant coach in 2015, but insists he followed proper reporting protocols regarding the allegations.
Meyer posted a statement addressed to Buckeyes fans on Twitter on Friday, his first extensive comments since being placed on paid administrative leave by Ohio State on Wednesday.
— Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer) August 3, 2018
“Over the past several days, I have been portrayed as being indifferent to domestic violence and as someone who did not take appropriate action, when warranted,” Meyer wrote in a lengthy letter.
In fairness, Meyer has been painted more as a person willing to overlook many ethical issues in pursuit of winning football games more so than someone who tacitly condones domestic abuse.
It is unfair to claim that Meyer condones abuse. It is not unfair to say that he has a more than dubious past when it comes to ethical issues involving his, admittedly, winning football programs.
Ohio State has been a perennial winner since Meyer took over in 2012. Meyer also won quite a few games, and two national championships, with the Florida Gators between 2005 and 2010. His 73-8 record attests to his talents as a coach.
But Meyer’s time in Florida was marred by a number of player arrests and issues. The fact that Tim Tebow was his quarterback covered for a lot of those issues.
And now, Meyer is in the eye of the storm again after many felt that he turned a blind eye to domestic abuse allegations to employ an assistant coach.
“Here is the truth: While at the University of Florida, and now at The Ohio State University, I have always followed proper reporting protocols and procedures when I have learned of an incident involving a student-athlete, coach or member of our staff by elevating the issues to the proper channels,” wrote Meyer, seemingly throwing his superiors under the bus over the inaction taken over domestic violence.
The university is investigating what Meyer knew about allegations made by the ex-wife of Zach Smith, who was fired last week by Meyer.
Meyer said at Big Ten media days in Chicago last week that he was unaware of allegations made by Courtney Smith in 2015 against Zach Smith that were reported to the police. That is obviously in stark contrast to Meyer claiming that he followed proper procedure in his Twitter admission, seeing as how it would be impossible to properly report something he knew nothing of.
Courtney Smith has also said she told Meyer’s wife, Shelley, about the incidents in 2015.
Urban Meyer admitted that his intention at media day was not to say anything inaccurate and he apologized.
“I understand that there are more questions to be answered and I look forward to doing just that with the independent investigators retained by the University and I will cooperate fully with them,” wrote Meyer.
While the coach seems to completely believe in his innocence, at the very least his image has certainly taken a hit. Many Florida fans still feel that Meyer abandoned them when the going got tough following Tebow’s graduation. It wouldn’t be unfair for Buckeyes fans to feel similarly.
“I ask that you continue to support the incredible coaches coaches and student-athletes in our program, and I look forward to rejoining them soon,” Meyer concluded.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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