swalburn

August 1st, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^

I think he is gone.  I think he resigns.  His wife is implicated in this as well.  I think he falls on the sword and moves on.  It isn't just him involved in this.  It isn't just the lie.  There are Title IX implications.

Marvin

August 1st, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^

He will be fired. Michael Drake, OSU's president, has a record of being zero tolerance when it comes top any form of sexual impropriety. He fired OSU's marching band director in 2014 for maintaining and environment conducive to sexual harassment. It was highly controversial and vastly unpopular. This is man who will not allow a football coach to outrank him. For more on the band thing, see the bottom of Drake's wikipedia page. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_V._Drake

 

 

Bambam

August 1st, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^

I have a feeling this leave is a temporary thing for the university to work things out with their lawyers to ensure they can let him go without having to pay some or all of his remaining salary. I’d guess they’re trying to shore up the Title IX aspect and once that’s all figured out, he’s gone. 

 

jamesjosephharbaugh

August 1st, 2018 at 6:47 PM ^

Well shit. Now that I saw what their backup QB did to us I’m terrified of what their backup COACH will do!

1408

August 1st, 2018 at 6:49 PM ^

He will be fired. 

He probably has a contractual requirement to be put on paid admin leave during any investigation of misconduct so tOSU could not have fired him immediately even if they wanted to.  This open period of time is only going to make matters worse - more stories will come out of the woodwork and it will become untenable.

I think the issue will hone on in this "special assistant/life coach" bozo who told her not to press charges in 09 because it would ruin Smith's career.  Clearly not the first time he has done such a thing if he was willing to do it in the case of battering a pregnant woman (upset because Urban's secretary was climbing into bed with her husband on their wedding anniversary - I mean, WTF, you cannot make this stuff up).  

If someone can point me to an example of someone at Urban's level being put on admin leave and returning, I will eat my hat.  

Needs

August 1st, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^

It also creates time for Meyer's lawyers and the university to negotiate a settlement, such that OSU isn't on the hook for his entire salary and doesn't have to go through the inevitable lawsuit that firing him for cause would lead to.

mexwolv

August 1st, 2018 at 6:51 PM ^

This may be a stupid question, but why would Urban protect Coach Smith?  Smith was by no means a crucial part of the coaching staff.  Why risk your carreer protecting a guy like that?  Could it be that someone pressured Urban to protect him?  I think Urban has way too much power for that.

Rodriguesqe

August 1st, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^

This means OSU is investigating whether someone in the future might be able to prove Urban knew. If they think yes, he is gone.

Mr. Elbel

August 1st, 2018 at 6:57 PM ^

I'm really torn between thinking he's gone and thinking there's no way in hell he's gone. Polar opposites and it says something about OSU that I have no idea of this gets swept under the rug or blown up further.

Mongo

August 1st, 2018 at 6:58 PM ^

Both Mr. and Mrs. Meyer will be fired or allowed to resign.  They deserve no better.  A blind eye to known domestic violence and outright manipulation in 2009 of her being abused (when pregnant) are just damning things.  OSU has no choice and things could get worse if Zach Smith makes good on his threat of taking down the entire program. 

ssbeaulieu70

August 1st, 2018 at 6:59 PM ^

According to the paper, Urban knew about it from his wife. Apparently the ex-wife spoke to Urban's wife, detailing the abuse. She said she will relay it to her husband.

She's in quite the pickle. Either she's a horrible friend, or she just tanked her husband's job.

nick614

August 1st, 2018 at 7:07 PM ^

Nothing will come of this. There are no students or other school employees involved, so there is no title ix involvement. There are text messages showing Meyer's wife urged her to press charges and she would hselp her financially if needed. The police were already aware of the problem, so there wasn't any coverup. Smith's wife refused to press charges, Smith repeatedly did not get raises and was being told to move on. Yes DV is terrible but it isn't the responsibility of the person boss to hold them accountable, especially if the employee denied it and there wasn't any pending charges. 

nick614

August 1st, 2018 at 7:19 PM ^

Eh just wait a few days and the outrage crowd will be on to new and better "scandals". Smith probably is a POS but even POSs get their day in court. As soon as there was an actual pending charge, he got fired, I don't know what people expect. If you fire him too early with only the word of one side, then you are going to get sued for that too.

Mongo

August 1st, 2018 at 7:35 PM ^

Not true.  Hiding domestic abuse by a coach (employee) is covered under Title IX.  That covers both Mr. & Mrs. Meyers as each are an employee of OSU.  I think they both violated Title IX and likely conduct clauses in their contracts.  Plus, she is a nurse and likely violated the Nightingale  Pledge and could lose her nursing license.  Unreal.