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COLUMBUS, Ohio – What's next?
This is the last question for Urban Meyer, and one that counts for the Ohio State Football Coach, who is back at work, not sent back, his suspension served, his reputation and his Affected football program, his winning team.
Meyer answered 36 questions Monday, 56 days after the dismissal of former receiver coach Zach Smith, 26 days after Meyer's suspension for three games. The opinions were already hardened, so maybe the spirits have not changed.
Meyer hoped that some were there.
Repeatedly, stating that he had been suspended by the Ohio State for mismanaging Zach Smith, and not for ignoring a charge of domestic violence, and repeatedly asserting that the notion of violence against women it was intolerable, Meyer cared and cared what you thought.
It was not a "Anything, let me get that out and let's beat Tulane," a kind of press conference.
But, as has always been the case, the words do not go further.
Actions count.
So here are some suggestions on what could happen to Meyer, based on what he said on Monday, what he did and did not face Zach Smith, what the football program, the department Sportsman and Ohio University should demand of him. what the wider community in Columbus and Ohio could use of one of its most prominent citizens.
First, here is a final summary of my understanding and beliefs about what happened with Meyer, Zach Smith, Courtney Smith and everything about this problem now that Meyer had a say.
1. Meyer mismanaged Zach Smith and gave him too many chances. It was a leadership mistake, and Meyer admits that he should have sent Smith away before.
2. Meyer reportedly sent Zach Smith back if Smith had previously been charged with a domestic violence crime. He says that and he is credible when he says it.
3. Meyer was the employer of Zach Smith, and although domestic violence is a community problem, the employer of the alleged abuser is not the main problem solver for an alleged victim. Police, family and friends all enter the picture first. While the dismissal of Zach Smith earlier would have allowed Ohio State to separate an employee from problems, this would not necessarily have solved the underlying abuse allegations.
4. There was confusion around this particular domestic situation. Although the charges are often not filed in these cases, for the alleged assailant 's employer, the lack of charges is certainly part of the equation in the decision – making process. Meyer presented Monday a chronology of Zach Smith's case tracking with the police in 2015 in a manner that shows his concern, even though it has not been treated ideally by Ohio State.
5. If you think Meyer made a mistake in this situation, as he says, what should be the consequences? Was he fired for not shooting someone else? Because at some point, a discussion must include actions. Not just words.
Here are some suggestions on actions:
Make Ohio State football a leader in the community by helping victims of spousal abuse: Some may consider such a move as dishonest, but if it's done, do not worry about how people perceive your motives. A generous financial donation from a coach who earns more than $ 7 million a year would be a good start, but it is good to act.
Asked on Monday about concrete examples of treating domestic violence seriously, Mr. Meyer referred to the lessons taught to football players, with messages of respect for women mentioned each week, according to Mr. Meyer. It's precious.
But turn that towards the community rather than the inside. Use the power of Ohio State and Ohio State football to make a difference in the lives of battered women in Ohio. Raise your sleeves and improve the shelters. Spend time with women and children who have been abused. Make public service announcements. Make a Saturday a season on domestic violence awareness.
Football players and Ohio State staff are already visiting schools and hospitals. Add this cause to the top of the list and make it clear that the powerful Ohio State Football Program is working to reach out and help vulnerable women.
It is clear that Meyer in this case was struggling to decipher exactly what he believed and what would be the proper way to respond to allegations of spousal abuse. He has been criticized and will continue to be accused of not believing Courtney Smith. It will not change.
"I repeat now, I'm really sorry," said Meyer. "Two children and a woman, a family, should not go through there."
Go beyond this situation. Take what you say believe and help dozens of other women.
* Bypass Meyer's power: College football coaches are often the most influential members of a college community and are, at the very least, the best paid. But Meyer had too much to say when dealing with Zach Smith, rejecting even a suggestion from Gene Smith to dismiss Zach Smith after the 2015 season.
He agreed with the idea that a college football coach has too much power.
"Absolutely, this has always been a concern for me," said Meyer.
He said that's why there is a compliance officer in the football building, to deal with problems related to the NCAA rules. Meyer also checked examples of immediate questions taken at Gene Smith or the Human Resources Department.
But do not trust Meyer who poses problems to others. Bring the sports department to become more involved in the daily activities of football. Maybe Meyer would be happy about that. Maybe not. But something like an AD assistant at the scene every day can catch Zach Smith's next problem sooner.
Meyer said he needed to do a better job of creating an atmosphere where people could cause him problems, especially during the season. He said he talked to Gene Smith about it.
"I've always thought I had this atmosphere," Meyer said. "If anyone was aware of someone's behavior and did not bring it to my attention, I obviously have to work on it, and me."
To be honest, Meyer first worries about football games. That's why he was hired. Everyone in the building, except for compliance, reports to Meyer. Get a powerful administrator who does not report to Meyer and who can oversee daily problems while Meyer wins games.
* To regain confidence: Meyer said Monday that what he had said at the Big Ten Media Days were errors and not lies and that he had never deleted text messages, although the investigation led by Ohio State revealed that Meyer had discussed this idea with Brian Voltolini.
"There has never been a deleted message," Meyer said.
He said the conversation with Voltilini was: "I do not worry about my phone. There is nothing to hide on my phone "and a member of the IT staff had already changed his phone to delete messages after one year.
Meyer admitted that he should have been talking to Gene Smith about spousal abuse allegations against Zach Smith in Florida in 2009, and this omission is still problematic given the frequency with which Meyer expresses his relationship with Gene Smith.
So here are two explanations and one admitted error, and everything happens for a question of the future.
Can administrators, players, staff members and OSU fans trust Meyer?
"It's also very difficult …" Meyer began before listing achievements in player academies and leadership programs. "The honesty and integrity of our program have been very good. The assessments made every year with the president, with Gene Smith, have been very positive.
"It's a window of time that I made a mistake, but again, that's what I hope – and I'll keep saying it, for the rest of my life – it was help an employee with work-related problems – it was not a matter of lying to the media.
"So I hope people listen and I can only tell the truth, I can only let you know, I would like to say for over 30 years that I've been accused of Too much help the players, giving them too many opportunities This is an accusation that I accept and I pay very much attention to that.
"But me too – I'm like that all my life, even outside of football.When I see someone in need, you help the person in need." Where are you going?
"Over the past 17 years, I have had at least three staff members in difficult situations that I've tried to help and that I've never fired." J & # 39; always try to help them, I hope it will happen. "
"I understand that it will take time – maybe never – but it's my job at a press conference like this, and really in relationships with you and the recruits and the administrators. I know our president is now very comfortable with many, many conversations, and I know our athletic director is. "
Trust, it will be the hardest for Meyer to act because he can not do it himself. He must act and then hope that others trust him.
Many believe that Meyer made mistakes. Meyer admitted to making mistakes.
On Monday, he said that he wanted to do better, swearing next time to ask more questions in a situation like this, to rely on law enforcement, but his Inform more about the circumstances. He seemed sincere.
Regarding domestic violence, Meyer said, "For learning, I learned a lot."
On Monday, Meyer offered words. Now he can act.
Given what we know, Meyer at work on Monday was a reasonable conclusion to that.
It is not time to move on. It's time to do better.
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