Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer has been suspended for three games over the handling of allegations against his assistant coach Zach Smith.
Meyer, who was placed on paid administrative leave on August 1 after allegations that he knew Smith had committed domestic violence, will also forgo his six-week salary.
Wide receivers coach Smith was fired on July 23 after his ex-wife, Courtney, filed an order of protection against him for trespassing. While working under Meyer in 2009, Smith was arrested for aggravated assault, but Courtney, who at the time was pregnant, dropped the charges.
There are also police reports of Courtney reporting incidents of domestic abuse in 2015, but Meyer denies having known about it.
“I got a text late last night that something happened in 2015, and there was nothing,” Meyer said at the BIG 10 media day on July 24. “I don’t know who creates a story like that.”
The investigation conducted by Mary Jo White, senior chair with the law firm Debevoise, found Meyer and Smith failing to comply with the requirements of their contracts.
“The discipline reflects our collective judgment based on the findings of the investigative report and the independent committee. The board fully supports this conclusion,” President Michael V. Drake said in a statement.
“We made this decision today based on the facts and our values as a university. We value the truth, and this independent team thoroughly and faithfully sought the truth. We value consensus, and today’s decision represents the collective wisdom of the board and the leadership of our university.”
Meyer apologized to the Ohio community for getting bad press.
“I am fully aware that I am ultimately responsible for this situation that has harmed the university as a whole, our Department of Athletics and our football program. I want to also apologize to Buckeye Nation,” Meyer said.
“The suspensions are tough, but I fully accept them,” he added.
