Ohio State Suspends Coach Urban Meyer

What did he know and when did he know it?

They’re almost the only two questions anyone needs answered in an investigation of a cover-up.

And so that’s what Ohio State University must determine as regards football coach Urban Meyer, who was placed on paid administrative leave on Wednesday. Meyer reportedly knew about domestic violence taking place in the household of an assistant coach, Zach Smith, dating to 2009, and only removed Smith from his staff three weeks ago.

Courtney Smith, the ex-spouse who claims to be abused, said she told Shelley Meyer (Urban’s wife) about further issues at home in 2015. Zach Smith was served a civil protection order, signed July 20 of this year, on behalf of Courtney Smith, following another incident at her house. The order prohibits him from going within 500 feet of his ex-wife. Three days after the order, Meyer fired him.

Courtney Smith says all the coaches’ wives knew of her ex-husband’s abuse and she believes Meyer was also aware of it.

So what did he know and when did he know it?

Those questions mostly apply because Meyer has won three national championships – two at Florida and one at Ohio State. If he were Zach Smith, he’d already have been thrown in the Ohio River. But he wins football games and Ohio State likes to win football games and so there will be an investigation while cans of whitewash are ordered.

Note to Ohio State – hit Michigan, not your wives and girlfriends. And, coach Meyer, if you are effectively the CEO of an enterprise like Ohio State football and you countenanced this abuse and did nothing, you cannot stay. Under those circumstances, you cannot lead young men. The well-being of others may depend on that.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman