Meyer sidelined over handling of domestic-abuse claims
Urban Meyer’s Ohio State program has been one of the best in U.S. college football, and for the most part has avoided major off-field issues and player behaviour problems that tarnished his championship teams at Florida.
Now Meyer appears to be in jeopardy of losing his job as Buckeyes coach over the handling of a longtime assistant who has been accused of domestic violence.
Ohio State placed Meyer on paid administrative leave Wednesday while it investigates claims that his wife knew about allegations of abuse against former Buckeyes assistant Zach Smith, who was fired last week.
Smith’s ex-wife, Courtney Smith, told Stadium Sports Network that she told Shelley Meyer in 2015 that Zach Smith had assaulted her. Courtney Smith provided text messages to former ESPN reporter Brett McMurphy between her and Shelley Meyer about Zach Smith’s behaviour, and threatening text messages she said were sent to her by
Zach Smith.
“Shelley said she was going to have to tell Urban,” Courtney Smith told Stadium.
“I said, ‘That’s fine, you should tell Urban.’ ”
Courtney Smith said she didn’t know if Shelley Meyer told Urban Meyer about the allegations against Zach Smith, who has never been convicted of a crime or charged with assaulting his ex-wife.
Zach Smith’s lawyer, Brad Koffel, said in a statement to ESPN on Wednesday: “Once he gets his chance to tell his side of events, don’t be surprised when it is corroborated by every police who ever responded to Ms. Smith’s calls.”
Ohio State will now look into
what Urban Meyer knew and when, which could determine whether he remains coach of the Buckeyes.
Meyer is heading into his seventh season at Ohio State, where he is 73-8 with a U.S. national title in 2014 and two Big Ten Conference championships. Shelley Meyer is a registered nurse and is employed as an instructor at
Ohio State. Both Meyer and his wife could be in violation of Ohio State’s Title IX sexual misconduct policy on reporting allegations of domestic violence against university employees.
Violation of the university’s policy could result in Meyer being fired with cause by the university, according to provisions placed in his contract when it was extended by two years in April. The deal runs through 2022 and increases Meyer’s salary to US$7.6 million in 2018, with annual six per cent raises for the bulk of his compensation.
Offensive co-ordinator Ryan Day will serve as acting head coach for the Buckeyes, expected to be one of the top teams again this season. The season starts Sept. 1 against Oregon State in Columbus.
Meyer said in a statement that he and athletic director Gene
Smith agreed that him going on leave was best for the investigation.
“This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter,” Meyer said.
Meyer is on the short list of most accomplished coaches in U.S. college football history, with three national championships and an .851 winning percentage in 16 seasons at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State.
Meyer won national championships with Florida in 2006 and ’08, but his teams also had more than two dozen players get into trouble with the law. He resigned twice at Florida, citing health reasons, first in the 2009 season after the Gators lost the Southeastern Conference championship game while trying to repeat as national champs. He changed his mind soon after and coached another season. The Gators went 8-5 in 2010, and afterward, Meyer stepped down for good.
Meyer was out of coaching for a season but was hired by Ohio State in November 2011. Since returning, Meyer’s program has dominated, and his players have mostly stayed out of trouble.