Wednesday night, Ohio State announced punishments for head football coach Urban Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith. After a two-week investigation, Meyer was suspended for the first three weeks of the season, and Smith was suspended without pay for a little over two weeks.
Thursday, Rex Elliott—the attorney representing Smith—unloaded on the "irresponsible" media for "amateur reporting." Elliott said the coach and A.D. are "two men who don't deserve the public flogging but who agreed to take one for the team so this great University can move forward with all of its amazing athletic and academic initiatives."
Elliott added that both men followed the proper protocol in 2015, when the allegations against Zach Smith surfaced. Elliott said he made the post because he "just wanted to make sure the facts are straight."
Gene Smith’s attorney, Rex Elliott, and Zach Smith have each taken to social media Thursday and in speaking out on Ohio State’s investigation involving Urban Meyer. Elliott: “As a result, two great men fell on the sword for a University they dearly love.” pic.twitter.com/LkJjTd4jzG
Elliott later deleted the Facebook post.
Just to clarify the FB post I wrote today was not authorized by Gene or anyone at OSU. My thoughts and mine alone.
Smith, whose ex-wife accused him of domestic violence, has insisted he is innocent.
Meyer has served as Ohio State's head coach since 2012. He has won three national titles, including one with the Buckeyes.
