Zach Smith's ex-wife: Meyer knew about 2015 investigation for domestic abuse

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer knew former wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Zach Smith was involved in at least one incident that was investigated by police for domestic violence in 2015, Smith's ex-wife told college football insider Brett McMurphy.

After Smith's firing July 23, Meyer eventually said he'd known about Smith's 2009 arrest but wasn't aware of any incidents that occurred in 2015.

The initial police report related to the October 2015 investigation said Smith was arrested on felony counts of domestic violence and felonious assault against his ex-wife, Courtney Smith, but an updated police report released in July no longer indicated he'd been arrested. The Powell Police Department said the original report was inconsistent with what had occurred. In November 2015, McMurphy reports that police charged Zach with menacing by stalking, although it's not clear where that case stands. Records show Courtney was granted a restraining order against Zach one day later.

Zach was arrested in June 2009 for aggravated battery on a pregnant person. Courtney was 8-to-10 weeks pregnant at the time. At that point, he was a Florida assistant under Meyer. Courtney decided not to press charges.

Zach was fired after McMurphy reported on the 2009 and 2015 police investigations.

Meyer acknowledged at Big Ten Media Days that he and his wife spoke to the Smiths about the 2009 arrest, but Meyer noted his understanding of what happened was different than the version that had been reported. He also said he had no previous knowledge of any incidents in 2015, but Courtney told McMurphy that's not true.

"All the (coaches') wives knew," Courtney told McMurphy. "They all did. Every single one. ...

"(Meyer's wife) Shelley said she was going to have to tell Urban. I said: 'That's fine, you should tell Urban.' I know Shelley did everything she could."

Courtney provided McMurphy with text messages between her and the wives of Ohio State coaches, including Shelley, in which Courtney shares her account of the 2015 incidents. Shelley expresses concern for Courtney's safety. One wife's messages indicate Urban had spoken to Zach about his reported arrest but "(didn't) know what to think."

Courtney said she hoped the coaches' wives would speak up because she was too scared to do so herself. She said she called 911 several times in Ohio but wasn't always willing to pursue charges.

"I hung up out of fear because I was scared Zach would lose his job," Courtney said. "... Everyone - all my family - said don't call 911. If you do, he'll get fired."