Ohio State announced Monday evening that wide receivers coach Zach Smith has been fired.
The department of athletics issued a statement reading, “Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has announced the termination of wide receiver’s coach Zach Smith. Coaching staff adjustments will be announced at a later date.”
Earlier in the day, news broke that Smith’s ex-wife had filed for a protection order against him.
That led to a series of revelations about past allegations of domestic violence against Smith.
First, Brett McMurphy reported on one case from 2009 in which Smith was arrested for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman after an incident with his then-wife in their Florida home.
Smith’s wife, Courtney, declined to press charges and the case was dismissed.
Later in the day, McMurphy reported on another incident from 2015 in which Smith was investigated for felony counts of domestic violence and felonious assault against his wife. If you are also facing physical assault charges, it is advised to hire a Galveston assault defense attorney to help build your defense strategy.
That case remains open.
Smith is the grandson of former OSU head coach Earle Bruce.
He came to Ohio State as wide receivers coach when Meyer took the job following the 2011 season, and remained in that position for the next six years.
Meyer is scheduled to speak at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday in Chicago, and will likely address the situation further at that time.