Ohio State Fans Hold Cringeworthy Rally For Urban Meyer

Ohio State has never contacted Courtney Smith to discuss domestic assault allegations she made against her ex-husband and former Buckeyes assistant coach Zach Smith, according to Courtney Smith's attorney.

Will Urban Meyer be fired or resign as head coach in 2018?

Numerous fans in attendance took aim at Brett McMurphy, the independent journalist who first reported that Meyer likely knew about the allegations against Zach Smith in October 2015. "We look forward to sharing the results of this investigation and any action the university may take", Davidson said in the statement.

Ohio State has appointed a six-member team to coordinate the investigation and an outside law firm has been hired to conduct it.

The first half hour of the Buckeyes' fourth practice was open for observation and photography, with acting coach Ryan Day staying at the far end of the practice field working with quarterbacks. A clause in Meyer's new contract, which raised his salary to $7.6 million this year and runs through 2022, requires him to "report to Ohio State's Title IX athletics any known violations" of the sexual misconduct policy involving students, faculty or staff at the risk of being fired with cause.

Stacy Elliott spoke fervently in favor of Meyer.

"Ms. Smith is cautiously optimistic that The Ohio State University's investigative committee will determine if proper reporting protocol was followed upon learning of the ongoing, abuse allegations against Zach Smith", Leveridge said in her statement. In a statement on Friday, Meyer admitted to knowing about Smith's history with his ex-wife Courtney Smith, despite saying he knew nothing about an alleged 2015 incident when asked about it in July at Big Ten Media Days.

After initially denying any knowledge of the 2015 accusations against Zach Smith, Meyer has since recanted and now claims he followed protocol and told school officials.

McMurphy also reports that "personal matters" were listed under the "work on" section of a 2017 performance review.

The Buckeyes open their season September 1 at home against Oregon State.