Urban Meyer Apologizes to Courtney Smith, Answers Criticism on Response to Abuse Allegations

Meyer defended his response to domestic violence allegations against former assistant Zach Smith.

Urban Meyer sat down with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi on Sunday morning, making his first public comments since being suspended from Ohio State on Aug. 22.

The Buckeyes head coach addressed criticism surrounding his handling of domestic violence allegations against former assistant Zach Smith. Meyer was suspended three games on Aug. 22 by the Ohio State Board of Trustees along with athletic director Gene Smith. The board found that Meyer, "failed to take sufficient management action relating to Zach Smith's misconduct and retained an assistant coach who was not performing as an appropriate role model for OSU student-athletes."

"For anyone at this university to believe that Urban Meyer would turn his back on domestic violence, I need to leave," Meyer said on Sunday morning. "So it’s very clear my stance on domestic violence. I wasn't suspended for that. I was suspended because I mismanaged a long-tenured employee and went too far to help him."

Rinaldi also questioned Meyer on Courtney Smith's claim that the Ohio State head coach enabled Smith, even after learning of abuse allegations. 

You can watch part of Meyer's response below. 

Meyer will return to the Buckeyes' sideline on Sept. 22 when Ohio State hosts Tulane. Sunday's ESPN interview was Part 1 of a two-part series with Rinaldi and Meyer. Part 2 is slated to air on Monday.