CHICAGO, Illinois (WTVN)--Ohio State Football Coach Urban Meyer addressed the firing of Wide receivers Coach Zach Smith, during his previously-scheduled press conference at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
Smith was relieved of his duties after his ex-wife filed a civil protection order against him last week, stemming from numerous allegations of abuse.
Meyer said that the university is "bigger than all of us," and regarding the timing of the firing, he added, "It wasn't just my decision. It was a group effort with several people that I rely on."
Meyer addressed the allegations against Smith from 2009, when Smith was an assistant under Meyer at the University of Florida. Smith was alleged to have punched his then-pregnant wife in the stomach. Meyer said at the time, "It came back to me that was reported actually wasn't what happened."
Last week, it became public that Smith was charged with criminal trespassing, after he dropped off his son at his ex-wife's house. Smith's lawyer, Brad Koffel, claims that his client was complying with a shared custody agreement at the time.
The decision to fire Smith from Ohio State comes after Courtney Smith filed a civil protection order against Zach.
As for Smith's replacement, former Ohio State wide receiver Brian Hartline is rumored to be stepping in, but Meyer today said nothing is official until there's word from him and Ohio State.
(photo courtesy Matt McCoy)
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