Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer put on paid leave amid investigation

Ohio State University announced Wednesday it has placed head football coach Urban Meyer on paid leave while the school investigates accusations that he knew about a 2015 domestic violence allegation against former assistant football coach Zach Smith.

Smith's ex-wife, Courtney Smith, told Stadium that several people close to Meyer, including his wife, Shelley, were aware of Zach Smith's alleged abuse of her, and she believes Meyer "knew, and instead he chose to help the abuser and enable the abuser and believe whatever story Zach was telling everybody." In July, Zach Smith was charged with criminal trespassing after dropping his children off at Courtney Smith's house, an event that led to his firing. After Smith was let go, Meyer said he didn't know about the 2015 police investigation into domestic violence by his assistant coach. Courtney Smith also said that following an altercation in 2009, she was told by Hiram DeFries, special assistant to Meyer, not to pursue charges of domestic violence against her then-husband.

Ohio State's offensive coordinator, Ryan Day, will serve as acting head coach during the investigation. The football team starts practicing on Friday.

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