Buckeyes’ Meyer defends himself

Ex-assistant coach denies committing domestic violence as has been alleged

Urban Meyer defended himself Friday, admitting he was not forthright with reporters when questioned about 2015 allegations of domestic violence against one of his assistant coaches, but also insisting he handled the situation properly at the time.

The assistant Meyer fired, Zach Smith, also spoke up, denying he abused his wife, backing his former boss and placing Ohio State’s athletic director into the middle of the picture.

Two days after Ohio State put Meyer on paid administrative leave and opened an investigation into what its superstar coach knew and did about accusations of abuse made against Smith by his ex-wife, two central figures in this college football drama answered some questions — and left much to be explained.

Meyer posted a statement addressed to Buckeyes fans on Twitter not long after his team, expected to be one of the best in Football Bowl Subdivision, opened preseason practice without him. Meyer was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday.

While Meyer’s statement was still being digested, Zach Smith went on Columbus radio station 105.7 The Zone. In the interview, Zach Smith said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith questioned him in the 2015 football about the allegations made by Courtney Smith that fall. Police reports were made about two separate incidents, but Zach Smith has never been criminally charged. Zach Smith was fired last week by Meyer, a few days after his wife obtained a protective order against him.

Zach Smith told ESPN Friday night that he never assaulted his wife and any physical injuries she might have suffered were the result of him defending himself. He said Gene Smith was alerted by police about the 2015 allegations. Zach Smith said after speaking to Gene Smith about them and he spoke to Meyer. He said Meyer told him then he would fire Smith if the head coach found out Smith hit his wife.

At Big Ten Conference media days last week, Meyer said he knew of an incident involving the Smiths in 2009 and that he and his wife, Shelley Meyer, addressed it with the Smiths. He was also asked about a 2015 incident alleged by Courtney Smith, who also said she told Meyer’s wife about those incidents.

“I can’t say it didn’t happen because I wasn’t there,” Meyer said at the time. “I was never told about anything and nothing ever came to light. I’ve never had a conversation about it. I know nothing about it. First I heard about that was last night. No, and I asked some people back at the office to call and say what happened and they came back and said they know nothing about it.”

Meyer said his intention at media day was not to say anything inaccurate.

“However, I was not adequately prepared to discuss these sensitive personnel issues with the media, and I apologize for the way I handled those questions,” Meyer said