OSU Trustees To Get Meyer Report This Week

By Nick Evans, WOSU

Ohio State's board of trustees are expected to get the results this week of an independent group's review of head football coach Urban Meyer.

The independent group leading the inquiry will share its findings with the board in a special meeting sometime this week. The exact date has not been set, but university officials will give notice 24 hours beforehand as required by law.

Ohio State President Michael Drake will announce his decision after deliberations with the board.

Meyer's Changing Story

The investigation centers on football coach Urban Meyer's handling of a 2015 domestic violence incident former wide receivers coach Zach Smith. Smith was fired late last month after his ex-wife, Courtney, secured a restraining order against him, following an incident in which Smith was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing. 

Later, reports revealed a number of domestic incidents, including one from 2015 in which Powell Police officers gathered evidence for felony domestic violence charges.

At Big Ten Media Days in late July, Meyer originally said he knew nothing about the 2015 allegations against Smith. Ten days later he reversed course, saying he did know about them and reported them through proper channels at the time.

Meyer has been on administrative leave since August 1, as investigators have reviewed his handling of the incident.

The investigation also has implications for other athletic officials.

Athletic director Gene Smith and Meyer's wife Shelley Meyer, an instructor in Ohio State's nursing school, also knew of the 2015 incident, Zach Smith and Courtney Smith has said.

A key detail for investigators will be whether the Title IX office or athletic director responded properly — if they were indeed informed. Citing the investigation, the university would not make those officials available for comment when contacted by The Associated Press.