THREE-GAME SUSPENSION WILL COST MEYER ABOUT $570K
Urban Meyer COLUMBUS — returns to full coaching duties at Ohio State this week lighter in the wallet.
The coach’s six-week, threegame suspension cost him $570,507.68 according to a document provided by the university in response to a public records request by this news organization.
The sum reflects a reduction in his base salary as well as money his contract calls for him to receive for media, promotional and public relations activities, via apparel, shoe and equipment contracts and his university vehicle stipend.
The letter describing the financial terms of Meyer’s punishment, signed by OSU president Michael Drake and director of athletics Gene Smith, is dated Aug. 30. Meyer signed it Sept. 11.
Meyer’s current contract, which was updated in March, calls for him to receive $412,033.33 in monthly compensation this year. His annual base salary is $840,000 while he receives $4.544 million for media obligations and $1.4 million for work with Nike.
Meyer was placed on leave Aug. 1 after media reports accused him of mishandling allegations then-assistant coach Zach Smith abused his then-wife, Courtney.
A subsequent investigation found Meyer did not try to cover up the allegation but did mismanage the employment of Zach Smith, who was found to have committed a variety of misdeeds over a period of years, some of which Meyer knew about and some he did not.
Zach Smith was fired July 23.
Meyer was allowed to return to coaching Sept. 3 but had to miss his team’s first three games. The fourthranked Buckeyes host Tulane on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day served as interim coach in Meyer’s absence. According to a letter from Gene Smith dated Sept. 17 and also released by the university, Day is to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $487,000 for that service. It will be paid in his Sept. 30 paycheck.
Day came to Ohio State in 2017 on a $400,000 annual salary.
In February, the school announced Day had received a new three-year contract worth $1 million annually after reportedly turning down other job opportunities, including an offer to be the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
Ohio State’s other returning assistants also received raises at that time, including defensive coordinator Greg Schiano having his salary more than doubled from $700,000 to $1.5 million.
Day and Schiano, who also has the title of associated head coach, became Ohio State’s first assistants to reach the $1 million plateau.
Kevin Wilson, who also has the title offensive coordinator along with tight ends coach, makes $800,000 this season while assistant head coach/ defensive line coach Larry Johnson makes $750,000, running backs coach Tony Alford makes $525,000 and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa makes $500,000.
Linebackers Bill Davis, who was hired in 2017, makes $500,000.
Newly hired assistants Alex Grinch and Taver Johnson make $800,000 and $345,00, respectively.
Grinch has the title co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach while, Johnson, a Wittenberg graduate who returned to Ohio State after six seasons away, is the cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator.