Ohio State puts coach Urban Meyer on leave while it investigates assistant's alleged domestic abuse

Ohio State placed head football coach Urban Meyer on administration leave Wednesday while it investigates claims that he was aware of domestic abuse carried out by one of his assistants but didn't take action.

What are the details?

Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of onetime Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith, filed a domestic violence civil protection order against her ex-husband on July 20. Former ESPN reporter Brett McMurphy made the matter public on July 23, and Meyer fired Smith within hours. The assistant had worked under Meyer for 11 years, starting at the University of Florida in 2005.

McMurphy reported that Zach Smith was arrested for allegedly abusing Courtney in 2009 when she was pregnant, then again twice in 2015, and most recently was arrested for criminal trespassing at his ex-wife's residence on July 18.

After firing Smith last week, Meyer told reporters that he had been aware of the alleged 2009 incident and that he and his wife, Shelley, had advised Zach and Courtney to go to counseling at the time. But Meyer said he knew nothing of the 2015 abuse allegations until the day he let Smith go.

"When I first heard that last night, I did some research and there was nothing," Meyer said at Big Ten media days. "I don't know. Someone texted me that last night. I said, '2015'? That was only a couple years ago. I told people to go find out for me. I'm not sure where that comes up."

Did Meyer know about the 2015 incidents?

But McMurphy argued that according to text messages, an interview with Courtney Smith, and pictures of the reported abuse, Meyer knew about the alleged 2015 domestic violence incidents.

Sitting down for an interview published by Stadium on Wednesday, Courtney Smith said, "I do believe [Meyer] knew, and instead he chose to help the abuser and enable the abuser and believe whatever story Zach was telling everybody."

She continued, "When somebody is crying out for help, I believe, the coach along with the coach's wife have a duty. They have a duty to do something to help."

In a statement posted to the university's website, Meyer confirmed he would be stepping aside while the probe is conducted, saying that he and Athletic Director Gene Smith had agreed "that being on leave during this inquiry will facilitate its completion. This allows the team to conduct training camp with minimal distraction. I eagerly look forward to the resolution of this matter."

Ohio State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day will serve as acting head coach in Meyer's absence. Meyer will continue to collect his $7.6 million annual salary.