Urban Meyer Likely Facing Suspension - Report
Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer will likely face a suspension over his handling of the domestic abuse allegations against former assistant coach Zach Smith, according to a report from The Columbus Dispatch.
The university’s board of trustees announced Tuesday that it will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. “to discuss personnel matters related to the investigation involving Urban Meyer.”
Here is the official announcement from Ohio State: pic.twitter.com/3qvjUMqsXN
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) August 20, 2018
For the last two weeks, a committee has investigated Meyer’s handling of the domestic abuse allegations against Smith.
In July, Smith’s ex-wife, Courtney, filed a civil protection order against him. In May, Smith was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing.
Meyer was placed on administrative leave by the university on Aug. 1 as it investigated whether he knew about Smith’s alleged domestic abuse and did nothing about it.
EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Urban Meyer assistant Zach Smith's ex-wife, Courtney Smith, opens up about reported domestic violence and what she believes Meyer knew. pic.twitter.com/dNWA9x2F4y
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 1, 2018
Courtney Smith divorced her husband in 2015. The allegations of abuse by Smith date back to 2009, when he was an intern at the University of Florida under Meyer.
Courtney Smith said in recent interviews that she told Meyer’s wife, Shelley, about the abuse. But Urban Meyer maintains he did not know about it.
The committee’s two-week investigation concluded Sunday, it will report its findings to the full board in a private meeting. On Wednesday, the findings and likely a decision on Meyer’s fate will be announced in a public session.
According to reports, Meyer will be suspended but not fired.
Two sources connected to the investigation said the likely recommendation is a suspension for Urban Meyer. https://t.co/xXuQpNQWbC
— Michelle Everhart Sullivan (@meverhart26) August 20, 2018
“Two sources connected to the investigation said the likely recommendation to university President Michael V. Drake is a suspension for Meyer. Drake and the board also could opt for a ‘time served’ punishment since Meyer has been removed from football activities for more than two weeks,” reported The Dispatch.
The Dispatch reported that an Ohio State representative did not confirm or deny what its sources said.
“Let’s get the facts, allow the board to deliberate, and then the president of the university will announce his decision in due time,” OSU spokesman Chris Davey told The Dispatch.
Meyer has won three national championships as a head coach — two with Florida (2006 and 2008) and one with Ohio State (2014).
The Buckeyes start the season on Sept. 1 against Oregon State. They are ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press preseason poll.
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