In the wake of Brett McMurphy’s explosive report, Ohio State has placed Urban Meyer on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into whether or not the head coach knew about one of his assistants allegedly being a scumbag women beater.
Via ESPN:
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday as the school announced it is investigating Courtney Smith’s claims that several people close to the coach knew of a 2015 allegation of domestic violence against her ex-husband, former Ohio State assistant football coach Zach Smith, who was fired in July.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Day will be the team’s acting head coach during the investigation.
“We are focused on supporting our players and on getting to the truth as expeditiously as possible,” the school said in a statement.
Meyer also realsed a statement:
“[Athletic director] Gene [Smith] and I agree that being on leave during this inquiry will facilitate its completion. This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter.”
It may be hard to undeniably prove that Meyer knew that his former assistant Zach Smith was beating the shit out of his then wife Courtney Smith. Although you’d have to be a gullible fool to think the text exchange between Courtney and Urban’s wife Shelly didn’t somehow make it back to the head coach. I’m sure that’s the angle they’re going to try to run with here and it’s completely absurd.
As far as Meyer’s future at Ohio State in some ways it seems difficult to imagine him coaching another game in Columbus. The University in some ways set a precedent when they fired Jim Tressel for far less. Then again it seem sometimes like we’re living in a different world when it comes to college sports considering what did and didn’t happen concerning Penn State hiding a serial child molester for several decades and Michigan State letting a doctor run rampant on the gymnastics team. With that said I totally wouldn’t be surprised if Urban Meyer is able to live this one out.