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Prior to his full-time return as head coach of the Ohio State Football Team, Urban Meyer spoke to ESPN about the circumstances that led to his six-week suspension and three games.
"I am very clear about my vision of life, in my opinion, and domestic violence is at the forefront," Meyer told the network. "I can not stand up when I see it, I can not stand up when I hear it, so someone from the university knows that Urban Meyer is going to turn his back on to domestic violence, I have to leave.
"It's very clear, my position on domestic violence.I was not suspended for that.I was suspended because I mismanaged a very disturbed employee and I went too far to help him. "
This "troubled employee" was Zach Smith, a long-time member of Meyer's staff and grandson of Earle Bruce, Meyer's late mentor.
Smith was fired in July after receiving a restraining order from his ex-wife, Courtney. Allegations that Zach Smith physically assaulted her during their marriage were reported at that time.
>> RELATED: Ohio State publishes other Zach Smith / Urban Meyer investigation documents
Meyer acknowledged that he and his wife, Shelley, had advised the Smith through an incident in 2009 (when Urban Meyer was a coach in Florida and Zach Smith was working for him).
He also said that during the Big Ten days in Chicago, an alleged incident between the Smiths in 2015 in Dublin, Ohio, had not occurred, raising suspicions about how his wife, Shelly, had contacted Courtney Smith about this incident and even received photos of alleged abuse.
Urban Meyer told ESPN in an interview broadcast Sunday that his wife had not shared this knowledge with him, although Shelley Meyer has expressed concern about the Smiths' divorce and the well-being of both of them. children.
Urban Meyer's moody demeanor at a press conference held to announce the findings of the investigation report – which revealed he had not acted to cover allegations of domestic violence at the university – has prompted many critics and finally apologies on Twitter to "Courtney Smith and her children for what they have experienced".
>> RELATED: Meyer seeks to change narrative
Although Zach Smith's dismissal in 2018 was the result of an "accumulation of factors," Meyer told ESPN Sunday that he had already recruited Mr. Smith in the hope of improving the situation of the Smith family.
"My intention was to try to help all participants," Meyer said. "The only way I knew how at the time, and I had two choices: to fire a man and financially upset a family, etc., or try to stabilize someone to be able to be a good one. Father."
He also acknowledged that he had not informed the director of athletics of Ohio, Gene Smith (no relation to Zach or Courtney Smith) of the incident from 2009 when he had decided to hire Zach Smith at Ohio State late 2011.
"In hindsight, I should have," said Meyer, who could not remember why he had not told Gene Smith at the time.
Meyer also said that he did a background check on Zach Smith in 2011, including talking to those he had worked for in the meantime and "it's gotten very good grades."
When asked how he saw this decision now, Meyer said, "Bad decision."
Meyer was allowed to return to training on September 3 – with the exception of match day.
Ohio State was 3-0 in its absence, including a 50-38 win over the TCU in Texas on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes, fourth, face Tulane at 15:30. Saturday in Columbus.
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