Excellent post DPo.
While it's possible that Urbs will return to the OSU sideline I think he's done. The Ohio State Athletic Dept has made a total mess out of what is basically a pretty straight forward issue. Domestic violence is not supposed to be tolerated. Meyer himself had the practice facility festooned with banners and signs saying things like Respect Women and It's Not Alright To Throw Pregnant Women Into Walls and stuff like that. He has shit canned several players who were charged with domestic violence against girlfriends ( though, truth be told, he was probably more interested in getting down to that magic scholarship number.)
In any event.
I don't buy the whole "he's Earle Bruce's grandson" gambit either. Earle was ramping up his dementia when Urbs came to Ohio State so I'm not even sure if coach Bruce could even recognize his grandson.
And it wasn't like Zach Smith was a good receiver coach. He wasn't. Urban Meyer himself referred to the receiving corps as a "clown show" before the 2015 season.
So, why did Urbs lug this perpetually drunk, wife terrorizing, fat, bald shitty receiver coach from Florida to Columbus AND keep him on the staff after he knew the guy's marriage was imploding and that he was knocking his wife around? And, yes, of course he fucking knew. There may not be direct evidence but, come on. All the wives are texting about Courtney calling the cops, Courtney getting stalked, Courtney getting yanked around and Urban Meyer doesn't know about it? I'll come back to the Zach Smith, horrible employee question.
So many fuck ups here. The first time he hears about this, Meyer goes to Gene Smith, the AD, drops the news on him and says, "oh, by the way, I fired his ass." That should have been it. Or, when they ask Meyer at the BIG media days about the 2015 incident, he says "no comment but we are investigating it". Instead he asks the reporter why he his making things up. Huh? And finally, is it paid administrative leave or unpaid? Paid makes Ohio State look bad. Because this issue is not going away and Urban Meyer is not going to coach again at Ohio State.
The answer to why Zach Smith was kept around is, Zach Smith was tolerated and covered up for and made excuses for because he was the RECRUITING COORDINATOR. And he was a good one. Ohio State is an NFL football factory for crying out loud. Just look at the talent out there. But, wait now, Zach Smith is a total douche. Does he just have an incredible knack for wooing teenagers to Columbus? Or does he have a few tricks up his sleeve that are not completely, oh, let's say "wholesome"?
This is why Ohio State needs to get its shit together TODAY. There is nothing to investigate. Zach Smith is gone. His ex-wife has told her story and it's an ugly one.
Maybe TOSU can find some weasel room to keep Urban Meyer but the shit smell will remain. That's recruiting poison. Ohio State needs to take the high road (even though everyone will know it's bullshit and too little too late) and move on from Meyer. Make Ryan Day the head coach. Don't expect to win every game for a year or two. But put this whole mess in the rear view mirror before you invite any more scrutiny because the wolves are out in Columbus and they smell blood.
Urban Meyer is a dead man walking.
Jimbosuke,
Commissioner for Life
