Ohio State’s off-field strife still rouses heated debate

Two camps, entrenched.

Mr. Stein: As an OSU alum and member of Varsity O, I find it reprehensible that Urban Meyer, Gene Smith and President Michael V. Drake have not been relieved of their respective responsibilities.

These men had an opportunity to do the upright thing but instead diminished the university and lowered its standards for their own self-aggrandizement.

All three will soon be gone but never forgotten, and then maybe the university will reestablish some of its lost integrity. No matter how costly, they should be bought off and released forthwith.

Joseph F. Arnold, Gig Harbor, Wash.

Mr. Stein: I follow OSU football, and I like to see them win, but I’m not a rabid fan.

Having said that, I want to say that the recent investigation of Urban Meyer and Gene Smith was so wrong. It was the cart before the horse. Shouldn’t it be determined that there was a crime before there was an investigation?

Zach Smith has Ray Stein

never been convicted of anything. He may be guilty as sin, but who knows at this point? This mockery of justice is so un-American. Guilty and having to prove yourself innocent. So sad.

Jim Hackworth, Columbus

Editor: Apart from morality, Mr. Meyer seems to have had no compunction to giving large monetary rewards for behavior that would have put any employee in line for immediate dismissal. And his apology to “Buckeye Nation” was as myopic and arrogant as it gets.

As an alumnus, it seems clear that OSU not only does not need my financial support. Perhaps the state is handing over cash with a blindfold.

Stephen Spurgeon, Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Mr. Stein: After reading (last) Sunday’s Mailbox, I was astounded that not a single writer mentioned Urban Meyer’s colossal failures as a coach and personnel manager as documented in the investigative report.

Domestic abuse is a serious matter, but I am referring to Urban’s abrogation of his responsibility to his student-athletes to hire the most capable assistant coaches who must also serve as role models. Or at least coaches who come to practice on time and aggressively recruit new players to better the team.

After his divorce, Zach Smith was late to practice on multiple occasions and lied about being on recruiting trips. Considering that the alleged abuse occurred in October 2015 and the divorce in 2016, is it merely a coincidence that the passing game was pathetic both seasons?

Most fans attributed this to the departure of Tom Herman and the failings of J.T. Barrett. After the 31-0 debacle against Clemson, several offensive coaches were removed, but not Zach Smith! If you are looking for grounds for termination, this failure seems pretty clear to me.

Now that Urban has appropriately apologized to Courtney Smith, the players and coaching staff of the 2015 and ’16 teams also deserve an apology from Urban for allowing this cancer to fester in their midst.

Michael O’Connell, Columbus

Editor: Urban Meyer is a football coach. He is not a psychologist, not a social worker, not a mom, not a prison warden, not a babysitter, not a priest. He’s a football coach.

None of this was or is Meyer’s responsibility. Zach Smith’s marriage is no one’s responsibility but Zach Smith’s. It’s not Gene Smith’s responsibility, either.

Meyer is trying to play this PR game. National uproar? Nonsense. None of us care whether there’s a national uproar. This is just another example of the media stirring the coals, and yet another example of The Dispatch, now with flaming liberal ownership based in Manhattan, having turned from Ohio’s Greatest Home Newspaper into an Ohio Valley version of the National Enquirer.

Stop throwing gasoline on a dead and meaningless ember. This penchant in U.S. mass media for incendiary sociopolitical tactics is why we elected Donald Trump and why we are thrilled that he’s pushing back. You’re just plain wrong. Let it go.

Chip Elliott, Columbus

Editor: Is it safe to assume that former OSU trustee Jeffrey Wadsworth, who has been reported leaving the recent session halfway through, will be paid half of what trustees earn for attending such sessions?

Apparently, he had made up his mind and saw no reason to stay. I’m not holding my breath. What class.

Dan Bear, Westerville

Editor: I don’t believe the action taken by OSU went far enough.

Those appointed over Meyer, especially those who imposed this penalty, all conference officials, supervisors, managers, leaders, editors, reporters, writers, authors, authorities, politicians, teachers, drivers, secretaries, judges, lawyers, executives, other coaches, subordinates, neighbors, friends, families, in-laws, acquaintances or anyone else who knew anything about this issue should be suspended too — no, fired!

Because the buck(s) stops there, doesn’t it? They all should have taken some action but were neglectful in other people’s business!

Mark Hiles, Brandon, Fla.

Ray: I’ve been following the Urban Meyer/ Gene Smith debacle. Disgusting. Since no one can seem to express remorse, perhaps the university should donate the suspended pay of Meyer and Smith to a battered women’s shelter.

There are plenty of organizations in the city that could extend their reach. Take that money out of the football program and do some actual good.

Nancy Smeltzer, Columbus