UPDATED 8/22/18 9:30 p.m. ET: Ohio State has decided to suspend head football coach Urban Meyer for three games, the New York Times reports. Gene Smith, the school’s athletic director, was also suspended. Meyer has been suspended without pay through Sept. 2 while Smith has been suspended without pay from Aug. 31 to Sept. 16.
"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," a statement from the university read. "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."
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This Wednesday, an executive session will convene to discuss findings in a report gathered and delivered by an independent committee on the subject of what was known about spousal assault accusations against ex-wide receiver coach Zach Smith. Specifically, Smith's ex-wife accused head coach Urban Meyer, and other university officials, of mishandling domestic abuse allegations she made against her former husband several years ago. Additionally, the Wednesday meeting comes after the conclusion of an investigation against Smith, which had resulted in Meyer being put on administrative leave.
It will also lead to a decision by the school's president, Michael Drake, about what will ultimately be Meyer's punishment for his alleged role in the matter.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the likely recommendation will be a suspension for Meyer.
The publication also added that the punishment could be of the "time served" variety, since Meyer had been on paid leave for almost all of the past three weeks. Either way, the decision could be made public pretty soon.
For those unaware, Smith's ex-wife Courtney Smith stated that she believes OSU coaches, including Meyer, were aware of her ex-husband's abusive behavior for years and neither disciplined him or helped her. Meyer had fired Zach Smith on July 23 after allegations against him were brought to public attention by reporter Brett McMurphy. After that happened, Meyer said he was unaware of a 2015 police investigation into Smith, but quickly backtracked on that claim. Smith wasn't charged with a crime stemming from that investigation, but says that he discussed it that fall with Meyer and OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith.
