Meyer texts: Smith offered position by ’Bama after ’17

Former Ohio State coach Urban

Meyer encouraged Zach Smith to stay with the Buckeyes in January 2018 after the then-assistant coach was pursued by Alabama, according to texts messages from Meyer to Smith.

On Friday, Ohio State released thousands of pages of heavily redacted texts and email that were part of an external investigation conducted last August into Meyer’s handling of Smith and what he knew about allegations of domestic violence made by Smith’s ex-wife, Courtney Smith.

Meyer was suspended for the first three games of last season by Ohio State after the investigation. After the season he retired at 54, citing health concerns. He is now working as an analyst with Fox Sports.

In two texts dated January 2018, one to Ohio State’s president, Meyer writes Smith was offered an assistant coaching job by Alabama. In a text exchange with Smith dated Jan. 18, 2018, Meyer writes: “I have personally invested far too much in u to get u in position to take next step.”

Zach Smith was fired in July 2018 by Meyer after domestic violence allegations surfaced against the wide receivers coach. Smith was not criminally charged with domestic violence, but last October pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct in connection with a May dispute with his ex-wife. At the same time an Ohio court issued a three-year protective order that keeps him away from her.

Smith said in a Twitter post he agreed to plead guilty to avoid the cost of a trial and end the situation.