After being placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into his conduct, Urban Meyer released a statement Friday afternoon denying wrongdoing in regards to former…
After being placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into his conduct, Urban Meyer released a statement Friday afternoon denying wrongdoing in regards to former receivers coach Zach Smith.
Smith, who allegedly abused his wife, Courtney, while on Meyer’s staff at both Florida and Ohio State, was not fired until last month despite Meyer’s wife knowing about the abuse, according to a bombshell report.
At Big Ten Media Days last week, Meyer said he and his wife knew about an incident in 2009 at Florida and addressed it with both Zach and Courtney Smith, but knew nothing about the alleged 2015 incident that came to light recently.
“I have always followed proper reporting protocols and procedure when I have learned of an incident involving a student-athlete, coach or member of our staff by elevating the issue to the proper channels,” Meyer said. “And, I did so regarding the Zach Smith incident in 2015. I take that responsibility very seriously and any suggestion to the contrary is simply false.”
Meyer said he believes he will be vindicated once all of the information comes out.
“Please know that the truth is the ultimate power and I am confident that I took appropriate action,” he said.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, football coaches and student-athletes will not be available for interviews until further notice and all practices will be closed,” Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig said in an email to the Associated Press.
