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Urban Meyer says he hasn’t talked directly to Courtney Smith in Part 2 of ESPN interview
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Urban Meyer still has not spoken directly with Courtney Smith, despite retaining her ex-husband Zach Smith on staff for years after two reported domestic violence arrests in 2009 and 2015.
On Monday morning, ESPN aired Part 2 of an exclusive interview with Urban Meyer, conducted by reporter Tom Rinaldi. In the second portion of the interview, Rinaldi aimed several questions at Meyer’s stance on domestic violence and the concern for Courtney Smith. And when he asked if he had directly apologized to her, Meyer said he has yet to speak with her.
“I have not talked to her directly,” Meyer said. “Maybe sometime I will. That’s something I have to think through.”
Rinaldi then told Meyer that Courtney Smith said that he chose to help and enable the abuser. It was a statement that didn’t sit well with the head coach.
“That breaks my heart,” Meyer said. “I didn’t hear that until just now. I apologize that she believes that. That’s never been my intent. My intent was to try to help all involved, the only way I knew how at the time.
“I had two choices: fire a man and put the family in upheaval, or try to stabilize someone.”
The second part of Meyer’s interview aired on ESPN’s Get Up. Part 1 aired on Sunday morning.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB