URBAN BUNGLE
Meyer’s mistakes in abuse case get him 3-game ban
Urban Meyer will be back sooner than you can say slap on the wrist.
Following a roughly 12-hour meeting of Ohio State’s board of trustees Wednesday, the school announced the coach will be suspended for the first three games of the regular season without pay because of the findings of a two-week investigation, which determined the coach mishandled — but didn’t cover up — domestic-assault allegations made against former assistant coach Zach Smith.
“My role is to set a good example,” Meyer said. “In this instance, I did not live up to the university’s standards. The suspensions are tough, but I fully except them. I wish I could go back and make different decisions, but I can’t.”
Meyer, who had been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 1, will miss games against Oregon State, Rutgers and No. 16 TCU, and be allowed to rejoin the team the day — and resume running practices — after their season-opener (Sept. 2). Athletic director Gene Smith will also be suspended without pay from Aug. 31 to Sept. 16.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Day will remain the interim coach.
“We believe clearly that Urban Meyer did not and does not condone domestic abuse,” university president Michael Drake said. “However, he did fail to take sufficient management action regarding Zach Smith, and he was not as complete and accurate at media day [as he should have been] and didn’t uphold the high standards and values of the university on that day.”
Meyer, who has been at Ohio State since 2012, said he didn’t disagree with the suspension and regretted giving the “benefit of the doubt” to Smith — citing a relationship with Smith’s grandfather, Earl Bruce, whom Meyer described as a mentor. Smith was fired July 23, following a protection order filed against him by his ex-wife, Courtney.
Meyer claims he went through the proper protocol when he learned of the accusations, but admitted that he lied at the recent Big Ten Media Days about not being aware of a 2015 domestic-violence incident involving Smith, who previously worked with the three-time national championship coach.
“There was nothing,” Meyer said at the time. “I don’t know who creates a story like that.”
Meyer also admitted to knowing about a 2009 domestic-violence report filed against Smith, who was arrested — charges were not filed — for aggravated battery.
Meyer, who has a 73-8 record at Ohio State and is set to make $7.6 million this season, signed a contract extension in April, which required him to report anyone who violated the school’s Title IX sexual misconduct policy.
“I am fully aware that I am ultimately responsible for this situation that has harmed the university as a whole and our department of athletics and our football program,” Meyer said. “I followed my heart, not my head. I fell short in pursuing full information because, at each juncture, I gave Zach Smith the benefit of the doubt. I did not know everything about Zach Smith, what Zach Smith was doing, and I’m pleased that the report made this very clear.
“However, I should have demanded more from him and recognized red flags. I needed to show more care and concern for the entirety of the situation and the people involved. I should have been more demanding of him in the same way I am of my players, other staff members and myself. I should have done more and I am sorry for that.”
When asked Wednesday night if he had anything he wanted to say to Courtney Smith, Meyer simply replied he had the same message for everyone: “I’m sorry we’re in this situation.”