Urban Meyer has established himself as the most successful college football coach of the 21st century. In fact, few coaches in history have been able to piece together a resume as impressive as Meyer’s. Taking mid-major Utah to an undefeated mark in 2004, two national championships at Florida in the late 2000s, and a new empire at Ohio State that began with a championship in 2014.
Meyer has passed almost every test on the football field. But there are other tests–and standards–to which coaches must be held. And right now, at the backend of the Ohio State abuse scandal, Meyer has turned in an epic failure. And it’s not his first.
Meyer was handed a three-game suspension by the Ohio State board of trustees on Wednesday night for his failure to disclose allegations of sexual abuse brought forth by Courtney Smith, who claimed that her ex-husband, OSU football assistant coach Zach Smith, was responsible for multiple abuse cases, including domestic violence incidents that unfolded while the two were still married. Smith was also arrested in 2009 on domestic violence charges, while he was on Meyer’s staff at Florida.
Meyer now knew his fate. Three games away from his team, though he can rejoin them as early as September 2 and coach the Buckeyes away from game days at Ohio Stadium (all three docked games are home affairs.)
Having been penalized (as ridiculous of a punishment as it was), Meyer finally had a chance to step up and apologize to Courtney Smith, who had placed her trust in the Ohio State football and athletic programs to properly handle the disgusting behavior of her ex-husband.
And then, as millions of Americans watched on TV, Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith apologized to “Buckeye Nation” for their missteps in the investigative process. Not to Courtney Smith. To “Buckeye Nation.”
Meyer apologized to his legion of fans for not being available to them for the first three games of the football season. Because that’s what Urban Meyer’s first priority is at all times. He needs to hit the field and feel like he’s done whatever he can to allow his football team to win games and championships.
As the #metoo movement continues to make waves across America, Meyer had an opportunity to align himself with the current forward trajectory of justice amongst America’s female population. And he failed miserably.
Meyer is great at handling football players. But time and time again, he has shown his ineptitude towards molding people. I wish his suspension had been greater.
