Herman willing to talk to NCAA

Says he has nothing to hide about ’14 incident

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas football coach Tom Herman said Thursday he would be OK meeting with the NCAA about a 2014 visit to a Florida strip club with Zach Smith when both were Ohio State assistants.

Ohio State this week identified Herman as the assistant with Smith at the club, a visit that was revealed in a school investigation into how Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer handled domestic abuse allegations against Smith.

Ohio State has said Smith ran up a “significant bill” of nearly $600 of his own money at the Miami-area club in May 2014. Herman was the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator at the time. Ohio State could face an NCAA inquiry if the Buckeyes assistants paid for high school coaches who were present.

“My wife knew exactly where I was, had no issue with it,” Herman said. “I’m happy to cooperate, be honest, truthful, transparent with the NCAA if they so need me to be.

“I understand the responsibility that comes with being the head coach at the University of Texas. I take that responsibility very, very seriously.”

Thursday

No. 21 UCF 56, UCONN17: In East Hartford, Conn., McKenzie Milton threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns as UCF routed UConn to extend the longest winning streak in the nation to 14 games.

The game was marred by what appeared to be a serious injury to UCF defensive back Aaron Robinson on the opening kickoff.

The sophomore transfer from Alabama appeared to collide head-first with another UCF player while making the tackle. He had to be cut from his shoulder and was taken off the field on a stretcher, giving the crowd the thumbs-up sign as he was wheeled to an ambulance.