Ohio State Puts Urban Meyer On Paid Leave Amid School's Investigation Of Zach Smith

As part of its investigation into reports of domestic violence committed by former assistant football coach Zach Smith, Ohio State has placed head football coach Urban Meyer on paid administrative leave. Offensive coordinator Ryan Day will take over in Meyer’s absence.

Meyer has compiled a record of 73-8, with one national title, since joining the Buckeyes in 2012. Ohio State’s investigation will likely try to find out how much Meyer knew about Courtney Smith’s repeated reports of her ex-husband’s domestic violence while Zach Smith worked at OSU. While Meyer acknowledged that he previously knew about Smith’s 2009 arrest in Florida for aggravated battery when Brett McMurphy reported on it last month, the head coach denied knowing anything about a 2015 domestic violence report made by Courtney Smith.

Meyer’s claim was put in doubt when McMurphy reported today on text messages showing Meyer’s wife, Shelley, showing concern for Courtney after the incident. There are also multiple police reports of Smith’s continued alleged abuse beyond 2015, before he was fired in July 2018.