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Report: Urban Meyer knew of 2015 domestic violence allegation

The Ohio State coach and former Gators coach will face more questions after a report by former ESPN writer Brett McMurphy
 
Published Aug. 1, 2018

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer appeared to know about domestic violence accusations against then-assistant coach Zach Smith, according to a report Wednesday by former ESPN and Tampa Tribune writer Brett McMurphy.

A text message exchange between Smith's ex-wife, Courtney Smith, includes a line that Meyer "just said he (Zach) denied everything." That would contradict what Meyer said recently at Big Ten media days — that he had no knowledge of a 2015 incident before Smith was fired.

McMurphy also reports that Courtney Smith told Meyer's wife, Shelley, about the incident. Shelley is also an Ohio State employee and someone Meyer obviously relies on. Courtney Smith told McMurphy that Shelley said she was going to tell her husband about the incident.

One key question going forward: If Meyer knew about the allegation against his assistant, what (if anything) did he do about it?

McMurphy's report also questions whether Meyer, the former Gators head coach, had a legal obligation under Title IX to report the allegation to the university. The federal gender-equity law prohibits discrimination, including domestic and sexual assault. Schools that do not comply risk losing federal funding.

Read McMurphy's full report here.