Urban Meyer’s days leading the Buckeyes could be numbered.
Under mounting pressure, Ohio State placed Meyer on paid administrative leave while it investigates whether he or his wife knew about allegations of domestic abuse against former Buckeyes assistant Zach Smith.
Smith, who was fired last week, has never been convicted of a crime or charged with assaulting his ex-wife — but she has provided evidence that seems to indicate her claims are true.
The reason it affects Meyer is because Courtney Smith, the ex-wife, claims she told Meyer’s wife Shelley about what was happening and that Meyer would be informe as well.
“Shelley said she was going to have to tell Urban,” Courtney Smith said in an interview with Stadium. “I said: ‘That’s fine, you should tell Urban.’”
EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Urban Meyer assistant Zach Smith's ex-wife, Courtney Smith, opens up about reported domestic violence and what she believes Meyer knew. pic.twitter.com/dNWA9x2F4y
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 1, 2018
If the investigation determines Meyer or his wife knew about the alleged abuse and failed to report it, they both could be in violation of Ohio State’s Title IX sexual misconduct policy.
When Meyer found out he was being placed on leave, he accepted it. “This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter,” he said in a statement.
While Meyer is on leave, offensive coordinator Ryan Day will serve as head coach.
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