College Football
Urban Meyer Gets Three Games Suspension
It was just the matter of time, before we knew the outcome of Urban Meyer. On Wednesday August 22nd, a meeting was held to decide the future of the head coach of Ohio State. What exactly was the outcome of that meeting?
Urban Meyer Outcome
After a 10 hour meeting on Wednesday, Ohio State suspended Meyer for three games, without pay. An investigation was opened to determine his involvement with misconduct involving ex-WR coach Zach Smith. The school officials stated neither Meyer or Athletic Director Gene Smith, covered up the alleged domestic abuse by Smith. However, due to not taking action to the misconduct, Meyer was suspended. In addition, it was stated that his actions were not of “a good role model” for student athletes.
Meyer’s suspension is extended through Sunday, September 2, and for the games on September 1, 8 and 15. The Buckeyes are scheduled to play against Oregon State, Rutgers and No. 16 TCU. However, Meyer will be permitted to take part in all football activities leading up to the Rutgers and TCU games. This will include practices, player meetings, coaches meetings, etc.
Previously, Meyer was placed on administrative leave on August 1 after the coach, admitted he lied to the media, when he claimed he had no knowledge about the 2015 domestic violence involving Smith.
Smith (Zach) was fired from his job on July 23rd when details from the 2015 arrest went public. Smith had been charged and arrested for felony domestic violence and a felony assault for attacking his wife at the time Courtney Smith. Courtney reported she told Urban Meyer’s wife about the abuse situation, but no further action was taken by the University. On July 24, 2018, Meyer was asked, about it, and said he had no knowledge.
Meeting Follow Up
The Independent Counsel also concluded that Coach Meyer would not hesitate to terminate any coach if spousal abuse was established:
“We believe [Coach Meyer] as did Zach Smith, that if [Coach Meyer] ever came to learn or believe that Zach Smith had physically abused his wife, Coach Meyer would have fired Zach Smith or any other coach on the spot.
In a prepared statement before taking questions from the media, Meyer acknowledged that his loyalty to Earle Bruce, who Meyer considers the most influential male in his life after his father, impacted his judgment when it came to the assistant coach who is the grandson of the former OSU head football coach.
“I followed my heart and not my head,” Meyer stated. “I fell short in pursuing full information because at each juncture I gave Zach Smith the benefit of the doubt.
“As I reflect, my loyalty to his grandfather Earle Bruce, who was my mentor, likely impacted how I treated Zach over the years. I did not know everything about Zach Smith, what Zach Smith was doing and I am pleased that the report made this very clear.
In a statement August 3, Meyer claimed that he has always followed the proper procedures and actions; when he learned of an incident involving a student-athlete, coach or member of our staff by elevating the issues of allegations of domestic abuse.
Text Message Revealed
In an August 1 report that preceded Meyer’s initial leave of absence, Courtney Smith, the now-ex-wife of Zach Smith, claimed that Meyer’s wife, Shelley, was aware of the allegations that she was being abused by the then OSU assistant coach.
Below is the text message exchange between Courtney Smith and Shelley Meyer in 2015:
Shelley: “I am with you! A lot of women stay hoping it will get better. I don’t blame you! But just want u to be safe. Do you have a restraining order? He scares me”
Courtney: “Restraining orders don’t do anything in Ohio-I tried to get protection order which is what started this whole investigation. And that should go through soon finally. It’s hard bc you have to prove immediate danger. Legal system is tough. Basically you have to prove he will kill u to get protective order”
Shelley: “Geesh! Even w the pics? Didn’t law enforcement come to your place ever??
During Wednesday night’s press conference, Meyer claimed that he was never aware of any text messages between his wife and his ex-assistant’s ex-wife at the time.
Investigation/Real Reason Meyer Wasn’t Fired
The findings of the investigation concluded with the following:
Although neither Urban Meyer nor Gene Smith condoned or covered up the alleged domestic abuse by Zach Smith, they failed to take sufficient management action relating to Zach Smith’s misconduct and retained an Assistant Coach who was not performing as an appropriate role model for OSU student-athletes. Permitting such misconduct to continue is not consistent with the values of the University and reflects poorly on Coach Meyer, Athletic Director Smith, and the University. Their handling of this matter did not exhibit the kind of leadership and high standards that we expect of our Athletic Director, Head Coach, Assistant Coaches and all on the football staff.
Later on, Meyer apologized to the Buckeye Nation. Furthermore, a lot people believe Meyer was let off easy. In other cases, with other coaches, they would of been fired. Simply, it was stated that the real reason Meyer wasn’t fired was because “It’s all about the football”. It was his 73-8 record in six seasons that saved him.
What do you think should of happened?
Feel free to comment below and let us know what you think!
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